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.

Unlike the Israel-Palestine conflict, improving relations between Israel and Syria is a much more feasible task, writes Mohamad Bazzi.

CFR's Mohamad Bazzi says Syria continues to "meddle" in the business of many states in the Mideast but could be a useful partner for the United States in the region.

Syria expert Joshua Landis says both the Syrian government and the Obama administration are looking to improve relations, but the renewal of sanctions by the United States, designating the country as a rogue state, may prove an obstacle.

This module features teaching notes by Mona Yacoubian, coauthor of the Council Special Report Dealing with Damascus, along with other resources to supplement the text. In this report, Mona Yacoubian and Scott Lasensky argue that the U.S. approach of isolating and undermining the Syrian regime has largely failed. The authors suggest that diplomatic engagement with Syria would be a more effective means of accomplishing U.S. goals in the region.

Elliott Abrams, former chief Middle East adviser on the National Security Council, says the Obama administration's move to send diplomats to Damascus for talks marks "a real policy change" but he is doubtful it will amount to much.

Richard N. Haass urges the United States to take part in peace talks between Syria and Israel. He writes: "Damascus is signaling that it's ready to negotiate a separate peace with Israel. It won't happen without America's help. The silent treatment has to stop."

Kaveh L. Afrasiabi, a former advisor to Iran's nuclear negotiating team, says the U.S. cross-border incursion from Iraq into Syria has Tehran worried about the implications for its own territory.