From Benjamin Weinthal, the New Republic:  As the world witnesses the Syrian and Iranian regimes commit countless human rights abuses and, in Iran’s case, move ever closer to perfecting its nuclear capabilities, there’s a common belief that, short of military intervention, there’s nothing that can be done. As it turns out, however, that’s far from the truth

From Steven Erlanger, the New York Times:  The war in Libya may be one of those quietly telling moments in the history of more important nations.

From the Editors of the Washington Post:  Last month the Obama administration disclosed it had taken a significant step toward balancing its policy toward Russia, which has focused heavily on striking deals with the authoritarian regime of Vladi­mir Putin and Dmitry Medvedev while mostly ignoring issues of corruption and human rights.

From David J. Kramer and A. Wess Mitchell, the Washington Post:  Dubbed the last dictator in Europe, Belarus strongman Alexander Lukashenko is under growing domestic and international pressure because of his gross human rights abuses and responsibility for his country’s worst economic crisis since gaining independence 20 years ago.

From the BBC:  Russia has strongly criticised France for dropping weapons to Libyan rebels and demanded an explanation from Paris.

From Louis Charbonneau and Hamuda Hassan, Reuters:  France said it did not break a U.N.

From the White House:  Readout of President Obama’s Call with Canadian Prime Minister Harper

From Michael Schwirtz, the New York Times:  The United States and the European Union on Monday imposed sanctions against President Aleksandr G. Lukashenko and scores of other officials in Belarus for a broad crackdown on the opposition after the fraudulent presidential election late last year.