Watch the VideoDuring the 2011 Arab Spring, Syrian opposition began a series of demonstrations demanding the resignation of President Bashar al-Assad. The world was shocked as President al-Assad sent tanks and security forces to open fire on demonstrators. Since then, the Syrian government has continued its brutal assault on opposition forces, demonstrators, and civilians alike. Most alarming are the reports of torture and mass execution of civilians, including women and children for which the government denies any involvement. And now there's evidence that Russia is supplying helicopters to the regime of al-Assad.
Robert S. Ford, U.S. Ambassador to Syria, has been an outspoken supporter of opposition forces, and has been vocal in speaking out against inhumane actions of the government. A piece in The Washington Post described Ambassador Ford as an “example of the free-form diplomacy the United States will need.”
Ambassador Ford speaks about the crisis in Syria, the role the United States is playing and how, ultimately, the solutions to the crisis need to come from the Syrians themselves.
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