The Syrian Regime, Under Pressure but Holding

The Syrian army is continuing a crackdown in Homs, a stronghold of the Sunni-dominated opposition movement. Though Syrian forces are operating under considerable strain in trying to suppress demonstrations across the country, it appears that — at least in the near term — the regime of Syrian President Bashar al Assad will continue to hold as the fractured opposition will be unable to find the level of external support it needs to overpower the government. Beyond Syria's borders, Syrian operations in Lebanon will prove essential to the al Assad regime's efforts to weaken the opposition.