Another civil war which I hope remains a civil war and not another excuse for U.S. military industrialists to become involved.

The internet is filled with images of the Syrian rebellion.  The US
and EU have ratcheted up its diplomatic pressure, perhaps laying
the ground work for greater, and deadlier, involvement.  As
unpopular as it may be, one cannot help wonder if these rebels
have been consumed with the message than with tangible results. 
The internet directors have demonstrated that they can turn out
their faithful, but other than bloodshed they have not affected the
government.  Rumors of generals joining the opposition or
divisions among the ruling class have not come to pass.  The
reports of “tens of thousands” seem to avoid the cities of Aleppo
and Damascus.  What has resulted is the economic injury done to
the people, and not just the regime.  Tourists are down,
investments are down, professionals are leaving, etc.  If the aim of
the demonstrators is to open up the political and economic sectors
of the country, then there must be meetings between the
dissidents and Assad’s government.  If reforms do not appear,
then the marchers could return to the streets.  But without some
sort of dialogue, there will be continued violence, and if the US
and EU intervene with force, there will be widespread death and
destruction.  If the purpose of these individuals is to effect change,
then it is time to come to the table.  If it is to gain notoriety on the
internet, they have already succeeded.