The history of modern Syria is replete with examples of external intervention in the country’s domestic affairs, often causing instability and political violence. Ongoing events in Syria have witnessed the kind of external intervention that does not necessarily help the cause of the opposition movement.
For example, Turkey’s effort to encourage Assad to reform and open a dialogue with the protesters ironically hurts the opposition because the majority of its members want nothing less than regime change. Dialogue with Assad boosts the legitimacy of his regime in the eyes of the world. Another example of problematic external intervention is Iran’s alleged role in offering material assistance to the Syrian regime to crack down harder on the protesters.
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