Syria's Prolonged Crisis

{
  "authors": [
    "Marwan Muasher"
  ],
  "type": "legacyinthemedia",
  "centerAffiliationAll": "dc",
  "centers": [
    "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace",
    "Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center"
  ],
  "collections": [
    "Arab Awakening"
  ],
  "englishNewsletterAll": "menaTransitions",
  "nonEnglishNewsletterAll": "",
  "primaryCenter": "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace",
  "programAffiliation": "MEP",
  "programs": [
    "Middle East"
  ],
  "projects": [],
  "regions": [
    "Middle East",
    "Syria",
    "Levant"
  ],
  "topics": [
    "Political Reform",
    "Security",
    "Foreign Policy"
  ]
}

In The Media

Syria's Prolonged Crisis

All signs point to the crisis in Syria continuing, despite the increasing violence, as the international community is unable to formulate a unified approach.

By Marwan Muasher

Published on May 29, 2012

Source: BBC News

Speaking on BBC News, Carnegie's Marwan Muasher explained that with the crisis in Syria at an impasse and the violent massacre that left over 100 dead in the town of Houla, it appears that the international community does not plan to take military action. Given the Obama administration's focus on the election campaign, the war-weary mood of the country, and Russian and Chinese objections to military maneuvers, it is likely that the situation in Syria will remain unchanged. Moreover, noted Muasher, “the Syrian opposition is divided and weak and has not come up with a clear plan for the day after.” Kofi Annan’s six point plan has not been implemented and the Assad regime does not want to engage in a political process that will lead to a transition and the opposition is not ready for one.

The Houla massacre has resulted in the first indications of Russian and American cooperation with the Security Council statement signed by the Chinese and Russian condemning the violence, Muasher added. Nonetheless there remains a vacuum of consensus. Even the Arab league is unable to present a unified opinion, as the Gulf States support arming the rebels and most of the Arab states oppose this option. Commenting on the increasing complexity of the situation, Muasher noted, “this is all going to take some time, I’m afraid.”

Political Reform Security Foreign Policy Middle East Syria Levant

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.

More Work from Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Commentary
Emissary
What If Trump Gets His Russia-Ukraine Deal?
It’s dangerous to dismiss Washington’s shambolic diplomacy out of hand.
Eric Ciaramella
Commentary
Strategic Europe
Taking the Pulse: Can the EU Attract Foreign Investment and Reduce Dependencies?
EU member states clash over how to boost the union’s competitiveness: Some want to favor European industries in public procurement, while others worry this could deter foreign investment. So, can the EU simultaneously attract global capital and reduce dependencies?
Rym Momtaz, ed.
Article
What Can the EU Do About Trump 2.0?
Europe’s policy of subservience to the Trump administration has failed. For Washington to take the EU seriously, its leaders now need to combine engagement with robust pushback.
Stefan Lehne
Commentary
Strategic Europe
To Survive, the EU Must Split
Leaning into a multispeed Europe that includes the UK is the way Europeans don’t get relegated to suffering what they must, while the mighty United States and China do what they want.
Rym Momtaz
Commentary
Carnegie Politika
In Uzbekistan, the President’s Daughter Is Now His Second-in-Command
Having failed to build a team that he can fully trust or establish strong state institutions, Mirziyoyev has become reliant on his family.
Galiya Ibragimova

More Work from Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Kushner and Putin shaking hands, with Witkoff standing next to them

Commentary

Emissary

What If Trump Gets His Russia-Ukraine Deal?

It’s dangerous to dismiss Washington’s shambolic diplomacy out of hand.

Eric Ciaramella

Commentary

Strategic Europe

Taking the Pulse: Can the EU Attract Foreign Investment and Reduce Dependencies?

EU member states clash over how to boost the union’s competitiveness: Some want to favor European industries in public procurement, while others worry this could deter foreign investment. So, can the EU simultaneously attract global capital and reduce dependencies?

Rym Momtaz, ed.

Article

What Can the EU Do About Trump 2.0?

Europe’s policy of subservience to the Trump administration has failed. For Washington to take the EU seriously, its leaders now need to combine engagement with robust pushback.

Stefan Lehne

Commentary

Strategic Europe

To Survive, the EU Must Split

Leaning into a multispeed Europe that includes the UK is the way Europeans don’t get relegated to suffering what they must, while the mighty United States and China do what they want.

Rym Momtaz

Commentary

Carnegie Politika

In Uzbekistan, the President’s Daughter Is Now His Second-in-Command

Having failed to build a team that he can fully trust or establish strong state institutions, Mirziyoyev has become reliant on his family.

Galiya Ibragimova