Syria crackdown: how far will Assad go?

When does a crackdown become a massacre? It seems that a line has been crossed in the Syrian city of Hama, where rights groups say over 140 people have lost their lives since Sunday. Laura Baines asks her panel what, if anything, diplomacy can do.

DEBATE

Nadim HOURY. Director of the Human Rights Watch Beirut office, Senior researcher on Syria and Lebanon (from Beirut);
Joshua LANDIS. Director of the Center for Middle East Studies at the University of Oklahoma (from Norman, Oklahoma);
Patrick SEALE. Journalist and author of "The struggle for Arab independence" (from Fayence, France);
Majd EID. Syrian Activist.

Watch the second part here.

Presenter

François Picard

24/02/2011 - THE DEBATE

Revolt in Libya: is it time to intervene?

The dream that began in Tunisia and Egypt has turned in to a nightmare in Libya. Hundreds are feared dead in a brutal crackdown ordered by Colonel Gadhafi. Given the rapprochement between Libya’s firebrand leader and the west in recent years, is it now time for the international community to intervene and protect the Libyan people from Gadhafi’s wrath?

23/02/2011 - THE DEBATE

Arab awakening: has France mishandled the regional revolutions? (Part 2)

The French government has appeared out of touch and wrong footed by recent events in the Middle East. There’s been a series of gaffes linking the foreign minister to Tunisia’s ousted President and President Sarkozy is urging his ministers to favour France in the future, when it comes to foreign holidays. What can France do to restore its influence in the region?.

23/02/2011 - THE DEBATE

Arab awakening: has France mishandled the regional revolutions?

22/02/2011 - THE DEBATE

Strauss-Kahn: will he take on Sarkozy? (Part 2)

Dominique Strauss-Kahn stole the show at the G20 in Paris. He stopped short of declaring his intentions to run in the 2012 presidential elections but dropped some major hints. If the polls are to be believed DSK could be a major problem for Nicolas Sarkozy. First though, he’ll have to win over a divided French Left. Laura Baines and guests discuss the possible return of DSK.