Originally published on the CGS blog on June 13, 2012.
A group of experts on the Syrian crisis gathered last Friday at the Turkic American Alliance in conjunction with the Rethink Institute. They discussed the nature of the opposition fighting against the Assad regime and strategies to resolve the conflict. The panel included analysts from the Syrian Center for Political and Strategic Studies, SETA-DC, the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, a counselor at the Turkish Embassy, and the president of the Higher Revolutionary Council in Syria. As violence continues and news of massacres in Houla and al-Qubeir emerge, the situation becomes more urgent, desperate, and heartbreaking. The experts debated the best course of action for the international community to take going forward. The foundational debate was between those who think military intervention is a necessity and those who want to rely on economic and political pressure.
A couple of points are crucial to keep in mind when judging the Syrian opposition and whether to support military operations. First, the Syrian opposition consists of two wings, one that fights the regime with arms and one that fights the regime with street protests. Much of the debate at last Friday’s event exclusively focused on the various military groups that formed after a period of mass demonstrations last year. However, protesters that routinely put their lives on the line should be considered equally, or even paramount, to armed groups. Despite constant violent barrages from Assad loyalists, thousands of Syrians continue to rely on chants, signs, and mass mobilization to take down the regime.
Second, the violence in Syria is not happening in a vacuum. Most of the panelists agreed that Russia, Iran, and SaudiArabia have hands in the ongoing instability. These actors should be the targets of United States and United Nations engagement, especially Russia because of their permanent position on the UN Security Council. KadirUstun of the SETA Foundation, said correctly that “there needs to be serious political engagement” with heads of state involved in the violence. An announcementfromKofiAnnan last Wednesday proposing a new plan that would create a “contact group” reflects Mr. Ustun’s sentiment.
As the violence drags on and calls for a military intervention become louder, advocates that believe a peaceful resolution is possible should become more visible, both in Washington D.C. and in strategic congressional areas. While numerous prior efforts failed, Annan’s new plan along with increasingly nuanced knowledge of the conflict provides hope that a more responsible solution will be implemented.
Click here for a full video of the event or more information. Also, sign our petition telling Putin to use his leverage at the UN to help stop the violence.
