Tag: Syrian Civil War

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In less than a month, the war in Syria will be entering its fifth year.  The conflict has led to the deaths of more than 250,000 people, injured more than a million others, and displaced half of the country’s population.  Syrian President Bashar al-Assad appeared headed for defeat in the fall, but the intervention of Russia rescued his regime and has allowed him to reverse the momentum of the conflict.  President Barack Obama has refused to provide sufficient support for Syria’s rebel factions, hesitant to get America involved in another sectarian war in the region and despairing that there are no “good” forces to support in the conflict.  Experts note that the war has become a proxy battle of American and Russian influence in the Middle East and that a wider war cannot be discounted between Sunni and Shi’ite powers.  The United States and Russia have recently agreed to move toward a “cessation of hostilities” later this week, but the agreement excludes attacks on terrorist groups and the tortured nature of that term is likely to help Assad solidify his gains and potentially win the war with significant ramifications for U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East.

This topic brief will provide an update on the status of the conflict, discuss the recent agreements trying to wind down the war, and analyze the conflagration’s potential outcomes.

Readers are also encouraged to use the links below and in the related R&D to bolster their files about this topic.

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[Readers should not that this brief was written on Monday afternoon, so facts on the ground may have changed by the time this brief is released on Tuesday morning]

Since March 2011, Syria has been plagued by a civil war as a result of the Arab spring.  The Syrian government of President Bashar al-Assad is clashing with diverse opposition groups for control of the country.  During two and a half years of hostilities, more than 100,000 people have been killed and it is estimated that two million people have fled the country, while up to twenty-five percent of the country’s population of twenty-three million are displaced as a result of the violence.  Last Wednesday, Syrian opposition forces claim that the Syrian government launched a chemical attack in the Damascus suburb of Johar, where government forces were engaging rebel groups.  Estimates for the number killed in this attack range from a little over one hundred to 1,300.  The Syrian government denies responsibility for the attack and claims that it is a “false flag” operation.  More than a year ago, President Barack Obama stated that the use of chemical weapons by Syria would constitute a “red line” that would prompt a firm international response, but the question in Washington is what type of response should be used if it is found that the Syrian government was responsible for the Johar attack.

This brief will break down the Johar attack and alleged chemical use in the Syrian civil war, international concern with the use of chemical weapons, and courses of action that the United States may use in order to respond to the Johar attack.

Readers are also encouraged to use the links below and in the related R&D to bolster their files about this topic.

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