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Protests in Syria Turn Violent

Protests are sweeping Syria, but any U.S. response may be hamstrung by President Obama’s insistence on multilateralism in Libya. Getting the Arab League and U.N. Security Council’s approval on military action against Bashar al-Assad will be a no-go, says Joshua Muravchik.

Published Mar. 25 2011 10:37AM EDT

galleries/2011/03/25/protests-in-syria-turn-violent/syria---3_x1rdcy — Muzaffar Salman / AP Photo,Muzaffar Salman

galleries/2011/03/25/protests-in-syria-turn-violent/syria---3_ueknbl — Protesters for and against Syrian President Bashar Assad clashed after Friday prayers in Damascus on March 25. Thousands of Syrians took to the streets demanding reforms and mourning dozens of protesters who were killed during a week-long crackdown that has brought extraordinary pressure on the country's regime.
Muzaffar Salman / AP Photo

galleries/2011/03/25/protests-in-syria-turn-violent/syria---1_yynrfc — Anti-Assad protesters rallied outside the Omayyad Mosque in Damascus on March 25.
Muzaffar Salman / AP Photo

galleries/2011/03/25/protests-in-syria-turn-violent/syria---6_e2tcqa — Supporters of President Assad demonstrated in Damascus on Friday.
Louai Beshara, AFP / Getty Images

galleries/2011/03/25/protests-in-syria-turn-violent/syria---4_ivo5fi — Pro- and anti-Assad protesters clashed outside the Omayyad Mosque in Damascus on March 25.
Muzaffar Salman / AP Photo

galleries/2011/03/25/protests-in-syria-turn-violent/syria---2_h6w1ml — Syrian army soldiers demonstrated in favor of President Assad on March 25.
Hussein Malla / AP Photo

galleries/2011/03/25/protests-in-syria-turn-violent/syria---5_l6riha — Syrian army soldiers demonstrated in favor of President Assad on March 25.
Hussein Malla / AP Photo