PrintUSIP Experts Available for Comment on Syria
For Immediate Release, August 18, 2011
Contact: David Early, 202-429-7817
(Washington) – Experts from the U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP) are available for comment and analysis as President Barack Obama on August 18 calls on Syrian President Bashar Assad to step aside.
Steven Heydemann, senior vice president
Cell: 202-360-0056
Office: 202-429-3857
E-mail: sheydemann@usip.org
Heydemann: “President Obama’s statement on Syria tightens the screws, but it will not be a game changer without ramping up multilateral, regional pressure. The challenge now is to focus on post-Assad transition planning and outreach to the Syrian opposition.”
Mona Yacoubian, special adviser
Cell: 301-908-8622
Office: 202-429-3868
E-mail: myacoubian@usip.org
Yacoubian: “This marks an important shift in U.S. policy toward Syria by dispensing with any illusion that the Assad regime is capable of reform. The president's statement, along with a coordinated call for Assad to leave by Britain, France and Germany, heralds a broader multilateral effort to isolate the Syrian regime in the face of its escalated repression during Ramadan.”
A dditional Resources
- International Pressure Builds on Syria
On August 12, USIP’s Steven Heydemann provides an update on the international diplomatic pressures to bring an end to the violent repression in Syria. - Countries and Regions: Syria
- Syria's Opposition Movement
On April 5, USIP’s Steven Heydemann assesses the state of Syria’s opposition. - Eye on the Middle East and North Africa
Experts from the U.S. Institute of Peace are closely following developments throughout the Middle East and North Africa. In a series of reports and interviews, they cover a wide range of issues.