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Description
Nearly 3 years since the start of the Syrian civil war, no clear winner is in sight. Assassinations and defections of civilian and military loyalists close to President Bashar al-Asad, rebel success in parts of Aleppo and other key towns, and the spread of violence to Damascus itself suggest that the regime is losing ground to its opposition. The tenacity of government forces in retaking territory lost to rebel factions, such as the key town of Qusayr, and attacks on Turkish and Lebanese military targets indicate, however, that the regime can win because of superior military equipment, especially airpower and missiles, and help from Iran and Hizballah. No one is prepared to confidently predict when the regime will collapse or if its opponents can win.
Document Type
Policy Brief
Region(s)
Middle East/West Asia
Topic(s)
National Security, Defense Policy, Strategic Competition
Publication Date
12-2013
Publication
Strategic Forum
Publisher
National Defense University Press
City
Washington, DC
Keywords
Next steps in Syria policy, Syrian civil war U.S. response, U.S. strategy for Syria, policy options in Syrian conflict, Assad regime and opposition dynamics, regional security implications, Middle East crisis management
Recommended Citation
Yaphe, Judith S., "Next Steps in Syria" (2013). Strategic Forums. 83.
https://digitalcommons.ndu.edu/strategic-forums/83