Western Powers Ponder Options to Stop Syrian Violence

Frederic Wehrey TV/Radio Broadcast June 14, 2012 CTV

Summary

A no-fly zone in Syria could risk formalizing the fragmentation and divisions in the country.

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With the violence in Syria continuing to spiral to dangerous levels, calls for a no-fly zone, as was imposed over Libya, have become increasingly conspicuous. Appearing on CTV, Carnegie's Frederic Wehrey noted that from a technical military perspective, there are few parallels between Libya and Syria. “The landscape of the conflict is different, there are no defined frontlines, no liberated territories and the Syrian forces are much better equipped and have better armor than the Libyan army,” said Wehrey. Implementing a no-fly zone in Syria would not only be extremely difficult, but could expand into something else, perhaps even requiring ground forces, Wehrey added. He suggested that the Obama administration is very wary of this, particularly during an election year, and is looking to avoid any sort of nation-building project at all costs. “A no-fly zone could create a Yugoslavia type situation in Syria by formalizing the fragmentation and divisions in the country,” concluded Wehrey.

Source: http://carnegieendowment.org/2012/06/14/western-powers-ponder-options-to-stop-syrian-violence/bz9q

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