Syria: A Way Forward December 2012 Cover photo: Aleppo, Sayf Al‐Dawla District, November 2012 ICOS Field Research trip 2 Syria: A Way Forward A report by the International Council on Security and Development (ICOS) President and Lead Field Researcher Senior Middle East Analyst Norine MacDonald QC Alexander Tylecote Policy Analysts Assistant Researchers Ayesha Malik Mostafa Al‐Mossallami Majeed Sahebzadha David Arnold www.icosgroup.net
[email protected] 3 4 Contents MAPS ........................................................................................................................................................................... 9 I) MAP OF SYRIA IN THE REGION ........................................................................................................................ 9 II) MAP OF SYRIAN CONFLICT........................................................................................................................... 10 III) MAP OF US MILITARY CONCENTRATIONS IN THE REGION ......................................................................... 11 SYRIA UPRISING TIMELINE ‐ FROM PROTESTS TO MELTDOWN ....................................................... 12 1. EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW .................................................................................................................................. 18 1.1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...................................................................................................................................... 18 1.2 FIVE RECOMMENDATIONS ...............................................................................................................................