Click on the image below to hear me speak on the political arm-wrestle at play in Syria (four minutes). With hindsight, I would have added two key points:
- A majority of Syrians—55 percent in one poll—support the retention of Al Assad as president.
- Foreign engagement is both leading towards outright war and demonstrating double standards. Rather than sanctions, free trade and migration would promote peace and accountability. Additionally, many national leaders commit far worse crimes than those of Syria; yet they face no denunciation.
For my earlier article on this, see “The Next Quagmire: Sanctions and Syria.”