Syrians walk at the old city in Damascus, Syria, Friday July 3, 2009. Syria's leader sent a July 4 message full of praise to President Barack Obama on Friday and invited him to visit Syria, the latest signs Damascus is hedging its bets in Mideast politics, warming up to its rival the United States at a time when its longtime ally Iran is in turmoil. The United States and its Arab allies have been hoping to pull Syria out of the fold of Iran and Islamic militant groups in the region. AP Photo logo AP Photo 31 months ago

Syrians walk at the old city in Damascus, Syria, Friday July 3, 2009. Syria's leader sent a July 4 message full of praise to President Barack Obama on Friday and invited him to visit Syria, the latest signs Damascus is hedging its bets in Mideast politics, warming up to its rival the United States at a time when its longtime ally Iran is in turmoil. The United States and its Arab allies have been hoping to pull Syria out of the fold of Iran and Islamic militant groups in the region.

More Photos of

Explore Photos of Related Topics

Recent Photos From The Wire

  1. Nick Watney of the U.S. hits out of a bunker on the first hole during the second round of the Northern Trust Open golf tournament at Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles February 17, 2012.
  2. United States Vice President Joe Biden (R) and Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping share a laugh after receiving gifts while visiting a classroom where students are learning Mandarin at the International Studies Learning Center in Los Angeles, California February 17, 2012. Vice President Xi, China's leader-in-waiting to President Hu Jintao, is wrapping up a five-day visit to the United States with a two days of business talks in Los Angeles.
  3. A line-up of Boeing 747s and 787 Dreamliners are pictured at the Boeing production facility in Everett, Washington, February 17, 2012.
  4. A woman walks beside a mural with the image of rebel revolutionary leader Che Guevara in Havana February 17, 2012.
  5. Perpignan's center David Marty (R) is tackled by Biarritz Australian winger Dane Haylett-Petty during the French Top 14 rugby union match Perpignan vs Boarritz, on February 17, 2012 in Perpignan, southern France.
  6. Czech Republic bronze medalist Jarmila Machacova (L), Australia's gold medalist Melissa Hoskins (C), and Ukraine's silver medalist Lesya Kalitovska, pose on the podium of the Women's Scratch race of the UCI World Cup track cycling, an official test event for the London 2012 Olympic Games, at the Velodrome in the Olympic Park in London on February 17, 2012.
  7. Bologna players celebrate after Bologna forward Robert Acquafresca scored as Inter Milan Argentine midfielder Esteban Cambiasso, left, walks past, during the Serie A soccer match between Inter Milan and Bologna at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Friday, Feb. 17, 2012. Two shocking mistakes from Inter Milan saw it lose 3-0 at home to struggling Bologna in Serie A on Friday and leaves Claudio Ranieri's job hanging very much in the balance. Marco Di Vaio struck twice in less than a minute in the first half following a defensive horror show. Robert Acquafresca sealed the result in the 86th after another Inter lapse.
  8. Perpignan's winger Adrien Plante (L) passes the ball during the French Top 14 rugby union match Perpignan vs Boarritz, on February 17, 2012 in Perpignan, southern France.
  9. A model presents a creation during a show by Chinese fashion house 'Exception de Mixmind' at the Chinese Embassy in central London on February 17, 2012. With the city currently hosting the Autumn/Winter 2012 London Fashion Week, the show highlighted the work by two of China's most popular designers, 'Eve Cina by Eve Group' and 'Exception de Mixmind'.
  10. Cubans buy books at the XXI edition of Havana's Book Fair on February 17, 2012.
  11. FLORENCE, ITALY - FEBRUARY 17: Fiorentina head coach Delio Rossi shouts instructions to his players during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and SSC Napoli at Stadio Artemio Franchi on February 17, 2012 in Florence, Italy.
  12. Inter Milan Argentine midfielder Esteban Cambiasso, right, reacts with his teammates Argentine defender Javier Zanetti, left, and Andrea Ranocchia after Bologna forward Robert Acquafresca scored during the Serie A soccer match between Inter Milan and Bologna at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Friday, Feb. 17, 2012. Inter lost 0-3.
  13. Inter Milan coach Claudio Ranieri gestures during the Serie A soccer match between Inter Milan and Bologna at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Friday, Feb. 17, 2012. Inter lost 0-3.
  14. Richard Gasquet of France returns a shot to Nikolay Davydenko of Russia during their quarter final tennis match at the ABN AMRO tournament at the Ahoy Arena in Rotterdam, Netherlands, Friday, Feb. 17, 2012.
  15. Inter Milan Dutch midfielder Wesley Sneijder sits on the pitch after missing a scoring chance during the Serie A soccer match between Inter Milan and Bologna at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Friday, Feb. 17, 2012.
  16. Inter Milan Argentine defender Javier Zanetti, left, vies for the ball with Bologna midfielder Saphir Taider, of France, during a Serie A soccer match at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Friday, Feb. 17, 2012.