The death toll in Syria rose by another 400 people since last Thursday after a wave of killings promoted by President Bashar al-Assad. On Monday alone, over 25 people were reportedly killed in a government-led crackdown on protesters dissenting Assad's rule over the Syrian people. Monday also witnessed yet another statement by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton condemning the recent escalation in violence in the country and a promise of an international resolution on the issue from the United Nations Security Council.
The Arab League's monitors in Syria had to suspend their mission because of increased attacks by the Assad regime on its own subjects. The League has called for a transfer of power to one of Assad's deputies, which was rejected by the Syrian regime. A similar proposal is being trumpeted by Clinton at the UN Security Council meeting, with the support from the Arab League. But such a move is likely to be countered by permanent member Russia, one of Assad's strongest allies, by calling any UN action "intervention in Syria's affairs." Being a permanent member of the UN Security Council gives Russia a veto power over any Security Council action.
The international community has not been successful in implementing in Syria what it achieved in Libya. The liberation of the Libyan people from Muammar Gaddafi's tyranny by international military invention has been a modern-day success story. Assad's regime has carried out its attacks against protesters with extreme impunity and has shown no signs of backing down to international pressure thus far. World leaders should act on their condemnations and do more than imposing sanctions on the Syrian regime. Instead of condemning the aggression and hoping the slaughter will subside, the international community must employ a critical response to end the brutal suppression occurring in Syria. This response also involves convincing nations such as Russia to help end the violence, rather than cling to friendships of yore and stiffen the deadlock on the issue.
Anurag Mandalika is a graduate research assistant in the Department of Biological Systems Engineering. Tweet your feeedback to @dailycardinal.
