The White House announced that the US would start providing military aid to some of the rebel groups, but it remains unclear whether arming rebel groups in Syria will contribute to achieving the stated aims of US and UK policy: to save lives, to pressure the Assad regime to negotiate seriously, and to prevent the growth of extremism and terrorism.
Arab Spring
Syria casts its shadow as G8 leaders gather
President Obama’s confirmation that the United States would begin arming Syrian rebels has prompted an urgent debate about both the legality and the effectiveness of the decision.
From Arab Spring to regional sectarian war?
The significance of Syria, from a regional perspective and apart from the worsening humanitarian crisis, is that the intensely bloody conflict there may be a sign of what the region as a whole may yet experience. Syria is a likely catalyst for such a regional escalation and a definite battle field for the proxy wars already happening.
Yemen “after” Saleh: Let the crises continue?
The key priorities for domestic and international crisis management in Yemen must be to work with all political forces in Yemen to prevent an outbreak of major violence as they compete for power and influence in the country, to contain and delimit the threat of AQAP, and to initiate a process of economic stabilisation and recovery.
Three lessons from the Arab Spring
The international community must remain realistic about the speed and comprehensiveness of the success of the Arab Spring but should remain committed and determined in its support of the genuine democratic aspirations of the people who have started these revolutions.
Libya after Gadhafi: Challenges and Opportunities
In the same way in which toppling the old regime could only be accomplished with substantial international support, it is unlikely that Libya’s transition will succeed without continuing support from the country’s international partners.
A New Beginning for Libya
Libyans and their allies across the world are right to celebrate, but building a new and legitimate state in the country will be a difficult task.
Libya’s Draft Constitutional Charter for the Transitional Stage: Promise and Drawbacks
The Draft Constitutional Charter reflects, by its very existence and publication, a remarkable degree of forward-planning by the National Transitional Council. It is a bold break with the past, but there are also some drawbacks, both in what is included in the Draft Constitutional Charter and what is missing from it.
Building a democratic state for the new Libya
Sustainable peace, democracy and prosperity depend crucially on choosing the right institutions, but these institutions cannot flourish unless there is security.