An anti-Syrian regime protester, shouts against Syrian President Bashar Assad as he protests during a demonstration to show his support to the Syrian protesters, in Beirut, Lebanon, on Monday Aug. 15, 2011.

BEIRUT – Syrian security forces cracking down on opposition strongholds in Latakia herded thousands of people into a stadium after taking away their identification cards and cellphones, activists said Monday.

ZAWIYA, Libya – Libya’s rebels threatened to isolate Tripoli by blocking key supply routes and cutting oil pipelines on Monday after a dramatic weekend advance put them in the strongest position since the 6-month-old civil war began to attack Moammar Gadhafi’s stronghold.

BAGHDAD – A series of blasts and gunshots ripped across Iraq on Monday, killing at least 65 people and wounding more than 300 in a spasm of bloodshed that raised fresh concerns that the nation’s security forces might be overwhelmed by insurgents when American soldiers withdraw later this year.

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan – Militants attacked a fuel tanker depot Monday outside the main international military base in southern Afghanistan, killing four people, officials said.

The assailants set off explosives that were packed in a minibus at the entrance of a compound operated by international contractor Supreme Group, according to a statement from the Kandahar governor’s office.

On a scale of 1-10, how concerned are you about the increasing unrest and violence in the Middle East?

---

---