A No Fly Zone Over Syria?

{
  "authors": [
    "Frederic Wehrey"
  ],
  "type": "legacyinthemedia",
  "centerAffiliationAll": "dc",
  "centers": [
    "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace"
  ],
  "collections": [
    "Arab Awakening"
  ],
  "englishNewsletterAll": "menaTransitions",
  "nonEnglishNewsletterAll": "",
  "primaryCenter": "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace",
  "programAffiliation": "MEP",
  "programs": [
    "Middle East"
  ],
  "projects": [],
  "regions": [
    "Middle East",
    "Syria"
  ],
  "topics": [
    "Political Reform",
    "Foreign Policy"
  ]
}

In The Media

A No Fly Zone Over Syria?

Despite rising levels of violence in Syria, the United States should focus less on intervention and more on planning for the day after the fall of the regime.

By Frederic Wehrey

Published on Nov 13, 2012

Source: FM4 ORF Austrian Radio

Speaking on FM4 ORF Austrian Radio, Carnegie's Frederic Wehrey explained that, with violence in Syria continuing to spiral to dramatic levels, a host of possible military actions are being considered. In particular, many are discussing implementing a no-fly zone. However, Wehrey noted, “no-fly zones are often the gateway drug to regime change. Once put in place it’s very difficult to say when you have achieved your goal, you become wedded to events on the ground and eventually become involved on the ground.” Aside from protecting innocent civilian,s a host of other considerations must be taken into account, he continued. In Syria, the possibility of any sort of American intervention—whether a no-fly zone or ground intervention—would undoubtedly rally jihadist elements, much as it did in Iraq. Wehrey stated that if he could advise on President Obama on how the U.S. should operate moving forward, he would stress “less of a focus on intervention and more planning for the day after the fall of the regime.”

About the Author

Frederic Wehrey

Senior Fellow, Middle East Program

Frederic Wehrey is a senior fellow in the Middle East Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, where his research focuses on governance, conflict, and security in Libya, North Africa, and the Persian Gulf.

Recent Work

Article
Parallel Climate Reckonings: Colonial Water Legacies and Indigenous Adaptation, from Morocco to the American West
- Frederic Wehrey, Charles H. Johnson
Commentary
The Iran War Is a Stress Test for Gulf States
- Frederic Wehrey, Charles H. Johnson

Political Reform Foreign Policy 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.

More Work from Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center

Commentary
Carnegie Politika
Is Belarus Really Set to Return to the Ukraine War?
By reminding the world that Lukashenko is a threat to NATO and Ukraine, Kyiv is trying to return the focus to why the Belarusian regime needs to be contained rather than rewarded.
Artyom Shraibman
Commentary
Carnegie Politika
Could Migrants From India and Africa Solve Russia’s Labor Shortage?
The demands of the Kremlin’s war in Ukraine, demographic problems, and public hostility toward Central Asians mean Russia does not have enough workers.
Salavat Abylkalikov
Commentary
Carnegie Politika
Russian Market Sours for Belarusian State Companies
Minsk’s faith in the future of its larger neighbor’s economy is fading as Belarusian firms in Russia see record losses.
Olga Loiko
Commentary
Carnegie Politika
Did Putin Return From China Empty-Handed?
With no key agreement signed on the Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline, there is a risk that the window of opportunity for Russia will close if Chinese power generation becomes so green that new gas sources are no longer of any interest to Beijing.
Alexander Gabuev
Commentary
Carnegie Politika
Are Russia-Japan Relations Really Warming Up?
The truth is that Japan’s government is seeking a degree of reengagement but at a vastly reduced level than under Abe. Most significantly, Japan has shown no willingness to ease sanctions.
James D.J. Brown

More Work from Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center

Commentary

Carnegie Politika

Is Belarus Really Set to Return to the Ukraine War?

By reminding the world that Lukashenko is a threat to NATO and Ukraine, Kyiv is trying to return the focus to why the Belarusian regime needs to be contained rather than rewarded.

Artyom Shraibman

Commentary

Carnegie Politika

Could Migrants From India and Africa Solve Russia’s Labor Shortage?

The demands of the Kremlin’s war in Ukraine, demographic problems, and public hostility toward Central Asians mean Russia does not have enough workers.

Salavat Abylkalikov

Commentary

Carnegie Politika

Russian Market Sours for Belarusian State Companies

Minsk’s faith in the future of its larger neighbor’s economy is fading as Belarusian firms in Russia see record losses.

Olga Loiko

Commentary

Carnegie Politika

Did Putin Return From China Empty-Handed?

With no key agreement signed on the Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline, there is a risk that the window of opportunity for Russia will close if Chinese power generation becomes so green that new gas sources are no longer of any interest to Beijing.

Alexander Gabuev

Commentary

Carnegie Politika

Are Russia-Japan Relations Really Warming Up?

The truth is that Japan’s government is seeking a degree of reengagement but at a vastly reduced level than under Abe. Most significantly, Japan has shown no willingness to ease sanctions.

James D.J. Brown