There are no good solutions to the mess in Syria, says James Traub, a fellow of the Center on International Cooperation.

In an essay for the Middle East Policy journal, Dr. Joshua Landis examines the Syrian uprising of 2011 and predicts Assad's regime's prolonged survival despite its growing isolation and struggling economy.

Establishing "no-kill zones," using drones to protect civilians, and encouraging defection could halt the killing in Syria, says Anne-Marie Slaughter at the New York Times.

Nicholas Noe argues that an internationally led reconciliation effort and subsequent peace-keeping presence in Syria would bypass the resulting destruction of a military intervention or civil war, while still keeping the diplomatic upper hand.

The Syrian crisis has entered its most dangerous stage, says this International Crisis Group policy brief. The international community and Syrian opposition have largely been ignoring issues that must be addressed, including ties between Syria and Lebanon and the militarization of the protest movement.

Randa Slim explains the varying perspectives of multiple Syrian opposition groups, including their disagreements on communicating with the Assad regime and foreign intervention.

The Security Council failed to adopt a resolution condemning human rights violations in Syria, owing to a veto by Russia and China.

Theo Padnos explains how the Assad regime exacerbated the Alawi-Sunni rivalry, bringing the country to the brink of today's sectarian war.

The New Yorker's Steve Coll looks at the past decade of oppressive rule by the Assad regime and argues that the time for Washington to negotiate has passed.

Time's correspondent in Syria writes that recent U.S. sanctions imposed on Assad and his regime have done little to stop him from using violence against the Syrian people.

Anthony Shadid of the New York Times offers a picture of what life may be like for Israel if pressure continues on Bashar al-Assad to step down.

In Foreign Policy, Aaron David Miller argues that the Obama Administration belives Syria's repressive dictatorship is so crucial to Mideast peace and stability that the United States can't let it fail.

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.

Seymour M. Hersh of the New Yorker asks why Israel bombed in Syria.

A Washington Institute Policy Focus in which Syria expert Seth Wikas takes a comprehensive look at the Syrian opposition's past victories and more recent setbacks. He outlines the major regional developments that have allowed the regime to divide and dilute the various factions arrayed against it.

Congressional Research Service report that provides information about the current perspectives and policies of Iraq’s neighbors; analyzes potential regional responses to continued insurgency, wider sectarian or ethnic violence, and long-term stabilization; discusses shared concerns and U.S. long-term regional interests; and reviews U.S. policy options for responding to various contingencies.

The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace takes a look at Syria's path of economic and political reform.

One year after the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and facing mounting international pressure, the Syrian regime is consolidating its hold on power and adopting a more defiant stance, both in the region and toward the West.