Syria Snapshot: As Refugees Surge, Jordan Turns Some Away (Marrouch)

Syrian Family in Jordan (Photo: Ned Colt/IRC)Jordan has been praised for welcoming tens of thousands of fleeing Syrians. The United Nations refugee agency has registered roughly 35,000 Syrian refugees in Jordan, but there are reported to be far more Syrian refugees along its borders, upward of 140,000 people. The latest round of violence has sent thousands more Syrians streaming to the Jordanian border, seeking help.

Jordan has agreed to create camps to house the swelling numbers of refugees, including one camp already in the works in northern Jordan that could hold up to 113,000 people. But the crisis seems to have tested Jordanian officials' patience, as Syrians report being turned away.

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Syria Video Feature: Having Fun with the "Elections"

While we were considering on Monday whether Syria's Parliamentary elections were "sham" or "substance", some inside the country were taking a more satirical approach through their own "votes":

In Aleppo Province, "voters" line up in a dusty road to select from a range of cartoon candidates while boys provide security with their pool cues:

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Syria Video Feature: Challenging Assad...With Puppets (Marrouch)

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At a time when thousands of Syrians are said to be in jail for openly defying President Bashar Assad's regime, a group of actors has produced a surprisingly candid piece of political satire lampooning the country's feared security forces, and even Assad.

They can get away with it because their video project uses hand puppets fashioned to look like anti-government protesters, pro-regime militiaman and the president,  referred to by a diminutive, Beeshou.

Called "Top Goon: Diaries of a Little Dictator," the so-called revolutionary puppet series consists of 15 video sketches being posted on YouTube.

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