Elliott Abrams says that the United States needs to step up actions against Syria's repressive regime.

Analysts assumed that the administration of the Western educated Bashar Assad would lead to a reformed and modernized Syria. Assad's actions reveal that this optimism was simply wishful thinking.

CFR's Adjunct Senior Fellow For Middle Eastern Studies, Mohamad Bazzi discusses the current crisis in Syria and its possible consequences.

Listen to CFR Expert Mohamad Bazzi and Consulting Editor Bernard Gwertzman discuss violent anti-government protests and rising tensions in Syria.

Elliott Abrams says the Obama administration must move beyond expressing concern for the situation in Syria and make a determined drive to bring down the Asad regime.

Mohamad Bazzi says President Bashar al Assad's resistance to serious concessions will not work over the long term for Syria.

Syria's Ba'athist regime has responded to widening pro-reform protests by tightening its crackdown, but this approach is unlikely to quiet restive Syrians like it has in the past, writes CFR's Mohamad Bazzi.

Richard N. Haass examines the likelihood of political change in Syria.

Syria's unrest isn't widespread enough to lead to a government ouster, with the Assad regime enjoying solid support from the country's Alawite leadership and Sunni majority, says expert Joshua Landis.

Steven A. Cook warns that as violence worsens in Libya, Bahrain, Yemen, and Syria, dreams of a democratic Middle East may be more of a nightmare in the short run.

Elliott Abrams says that as the wave of revolts in the Middle East spreads to Syria, the United States must make clear its opposition to the Assad regime.

Robert Danin examines whether the wave of change engulfing the Arab world will ride through Syria.

Eric Schmidt and Jared Cohen comment, "The technology that has allowed millions to share photos and information is fast becoming the latest tool in political activism."

Mohamad Bazzi discusses Lebanon's role in a power struggle among Syria, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United States.

Mohamad Bazzi argues that international pressure on Syria is the only hope for freedom for the regime's dissidents.

Elliott Abrams argues that if indeed Syria is supplying Hezbollah with SCUD missiles, Israel's right to self defense as well as the relevant UN resolutions allow military action against this threat--and the United States should make this clear.

Elliott Abrams criticizes U.S. policy toward Syria, saying "engagement " and "appeasement" look very similar.

Mohamad Bazzi argues, "Washington's diplomatic engagement with Damascus should not come at the expense of democracy and human rights activists."

"The Obama administration has an opportunity to break the current logjam in the Middle East by pushing for renewed Syrian-Israeli negotiations," writes Mohamad Bazzi.

Mohamad Bazzi writes that negotiating peace between Israel and Syria is both, urgent and feasible and the Obama administration should actively attempt brokering a deal between the two sides.