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Syria's Army Is Key to the Country's Future

(Washington Institute for Near East Policy) Michael Eisenstadt and Jeffrey White - If current trends persist in Syria, the regime may be forced to deploy army units that are unable or unwilling to continue the brutal crackdown. So far the regime has relied primarily on select, largely Alawite security forces for violent suppression actions. These units have functioned as "fire brigades," rushing from one hot spot to another. Given that the security forces have been unable to suppress the demonstrations and mounting civil resistance, the regular army may eventually be called on to play a greater role. As the situation stands now, the opposition seems to be gaining strength, the regime has few additional resources to call on and lacks the flexibility to adapt, and strains on the security forces are only increasing with the passage of time. Michael Eisenstadt is director of the Washington Institute's Military and Security Studies Program. Jeffrey White is a defense fellow at the Institute.
2011-07-12 00:00:00
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