Arguments that the West should avoid arming Syrian rebels in order to forestall wholesale slaughter or forced exile of Alawites, such as that advanced recently by Joshua Landis, deserve careful consideration and also need to be placed into proper context. By responding in March 2011 with deadly force to what was initially peaceful, nonsectarian protest, … Continue reading Syria: Does the Threat of Sectarian ‘Cleansing’ Stay the West’s Hand?