Nossal: How should Canada respond to the rising violence in Syria?

Director of the Centre for International and Defence Policy, Queen's University
By continuing to do precisely what it has been doing: moving with other western allies in a measured and considered way. While images of the violence being visited on Syrian citizens by government forces loyal to Bashar al-Assad have understandably led to calls for more decisive Canadian action, the Harper government has been right to move cautiously. Successful multilateral sanctions depend on coordinated action; moving in step with the other “Friends of Syria” to maintain pressure on the al-Assad regime—and its various supporters at home and abroad—remains the most effective way for Canada to respond to this crisis.