The tide of international opinion continues to turn against Syria. Last week the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) suspended the country's membership. This is an important development as it deepens the isolation of the Damascus government within its own region.

Yet, Syrian President Bashar Assad retains the support of important allies, most significantly Iran, and that will enable him to fight on, indifferent to the human cost of that struggle.

The OIC decision was expected. The meeting was hosted by Saudi Arabia, a government that has backed efforts to isolate Syria and has called for arming the rebels.