Syria's uprising against President Bashar Assad, which began peacefully in Damascus a year ago, has become increasingly brutal and splintered. As the death toll nears 9,000, calls for international intervention have increased — but what worked in places like Libya won't necessarily succeed in Syria.
The country's political and military elites have always been secretive about their power and how they make important decisions, leading to several misconceptions about the regime. Let's dispel some myths about Syria and its upheaval.
1. President Bashar Assad's departure would end the violence.