Columbia International Affairs Online: Working Papers

CIAO DATE: 06/2014

Syria's Political Opposition

Elizabeth O’Bagy

April 2012

Institute for the Study of War

Abstract

Policymakers must identify and understand Syria’s political opposition, both in exile and on the ground, in order to develop a clear vision of their aims and a better strategy for support. Any successful U.S. policy in Syria should focus on constructing a viable alternative to Assad’s government. This report provides detailed information on the diverse groupings of the Syrian political opposition in order to inform the international community’s response to the conflict. It distinguishes between the expatriate political opposition and the grassroots protest movement operating on the ground in Syria.