A nation at a stalemate

Diplomatic roadblocks, a complex social make-up, and a densely distributed population combine to render the Syrian uprising more complex than that of Libya, writes Alastair Macdonald

WORLD, please help us!” has been a refrain of Syrians under siege by their own government in Homs, Deraa and other cities.

So far, though, it is probably Bashar al-Assad, the Syrian president, who has had more outside assistance, highlighting how a complex web of regional and global interests is stalemated over Syria, where a complex social mix is shaping up for a long confrontation.