The Assad E-Mail Leaks Scandal

"Last night, The Guardian revealed that it had obtained a cache of over 3,000 emails giving an insider’s look at correspondence between Syrian president Bashar al Assad, his wife Asmaa, and their entourage.

The emails, which have been verified by The Guardian, show a Syrian leadership that is not only extremely aware of social media, but also doing its best to twist and manipulate it to its advantage."

"Syrian activists have leaked a cache of documents purporting to be the private email of Bashar al-Assad and his coterie, penned during the slaughter of the Syrian opposition. The Guardian is working its way through them, authenticating them as thoroughly as they can."

"Assad got around US sanctions to purchase Apple products—using a third party with a US address, Assad made personal purchases of music and apps from the iTunes store."

"It was interesting to see a first lady who seemed very interested in shoes and jewellery and not much else. I do sincerely hope that this riles the Assad's, in fact I've just heard that the Guardian's website has been blocked by Syrian ISP's. If so, this is definitely going to help erode whatever is left of Bashar's aura."

"Bashar al-Assad took advice from Iran on how to handle the uprising against his rule, according to a cache of what appear to be several thousand emails received and sent by the Syrian leader and his wife."

"I have read Asad's emails in the Guardian. My judgment? The Guardian is a victim of a hoax hatched by the propaganda machine of the Syrian National Council. It is so lacking in credibility."