Syria Crisis: NATO Approves Patriot Missile Deployment

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In The Media

Syria Crisis: NATO Approves Patriot Missile Deployment

The recent NATO decision to deploy missiles along the Turkish-Syrian border has been framed in terms of a defense strategy for Turkey, but the same missiles could conceivably provide cover for refugees fleeing the violence.

By Marina Ottaway

Published on Dec 4, 2012

Source: BBC World News

The recent NATO decision to deploy missiles along the Turkish-Syrian border has been framed in terms of a defense strategy for Turkey. However, speaking with the BBC World News, Carnegie's Marina Ottaway noted that “as the situation worsens in Syria, these missiles could provide cover for refugees fleeing the violence.” While the Assad regime becomes increasingly threatened by the insurrection, it is difficult to judge what Assad will do. Many, including the Obama administration, are preparing for the possibility that the regime may use chemical weapons in some capacity. Despite the tenuous situation that the regime is in, the fractured nature of the opposition leaves the potential of a post-Assad era fraught with complications, Ottaway warned. “It is likely that we see a Libya-like situation with certain militias controlling certain areas, creating a situation where it is difficult to put together a cohesive political force,” concluded Ottaway.

About the Author

Marina Ottaway

Former Senior Associate, Middle East Program

Before joining the Endowment, Ottaway carried out research in Africa and in the Middle East for many years and taught at the University of Addis Ababa, the University of Zambia, the American University in Cairo, and the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa.

Recent Work

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Reactions to the Syrian National Initiative
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Slow Return to Normal Politics in Egypt
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Political Reform Middle East Syria

Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

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