The Hill News

With Syria already in civil war, the focus must be preventing a sectarian bloodbath and regional spillover. As violence increases dramatically, options must include alternative measures beyond the United Nations Security Council. The logical initial step is an ad hoc coalition of key international players.  However, such a grouping must be prepared to take firm action as dictated by necessity while treading carefully. The unfortunate reality is that a bloody protracted stalemate in Syria can ensue indefinitely. 
 
Furthermore, plans must be made for all types of assistance. But actual aid must be largely determined in proportion to realities on the ground. As civilian casualties mount exponentially, safe-zones and accompanying measures must be tabled sooner rather than later. However, any direct form of military intervention must be a last resort.  Frankly, Syria is not Libya. A geographical image of Syria alone speaks more than a thousand words. Politicall! y, diplomatically and militarily, the Syrian crisis is far more complex and less containable than Libya.
 
Further negotiations at the U.N. Security Council are unlikely to yield concrete dividends anytime soon. Nonetheless, the international community has an obligation to continuously attempt to find ways to reduce violence. Even the remote chance of achieving a temporary breakthrough can spare loss of innocent life.

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