Immediately after the US-led invasion of Iraq, which was opposed by the Syrian government of Bashar al-Asad, there were real fears that Damascus would be next i... » 

Immediately after the US-led invasion of Iraq, which was opposed by the Syrian government of Bashar al-Asad, there were real fears that Damascus would be next in line for regime change. This perception was reinforced by Washingtons rhetoric and its claims that the post-invasion Iraqi insurgency was being assisted by the Syrian intelligence service. Wieland argues that the West must not ignore Syrias robust tradition of secularism, and cautions that US attempts to undermine the current regime may, paradoxically, embolden the Islamists and help the regime to maintain its authoritarian grip on power. «