Published on openDemocracy (http://www.opendemocracy.net)

Syria, spiral of war

Paul Rogers [1] 27 June 2013

The provision of more sophisticated arms to Syria's rebels, in which Saudi Arabia is now deeply involved, will produce a more violent stalemate. 

The chances for an end to Syria's war, already slim, are diminishing. In early June 2013, it became clear that Bashar al-Assad's regime was proving itself capable of recapturing some ground previously lost and forcing back many of the rebel groups - perhaps in the process [11] becoming more secure than at any time since the end of 2011. Barack Obama's administration, concerned about such developments - and in a context where Washington-Moscow discussions about a peace conference have made [12] no headway - responded around the middle of the month by promoting the idea of a judicious arming of rebel forces.