The suffering of Syria's civilians, caught between government attacks and extremist violence, shocked the world. Despite international laws and commitments to protect civilians from mass atrocities, global actors largely stood aside as the crisis unfolded. Neighboring states, major powers, and the United Nations often opted for ineffective measures or made decisions that exacerbated the situation. Alex J. Bellamy offers a detailed analysis of this failure to protect Syrian civilians, utilizing interviews, UN documents, and other sources. He examines the various peace processes and their shortcomings, highlighting alternative approaches that could have been pursued. The analysis reveals how key players prioritized national interests, geopolitical goals, regional stability, and domestic politics over the welfare of Syrians. Some governments adopted unrealistic strategies based on flawed assumptions, while others acted out of ambition, leading to the UN's diminished relevance and complicity. By illuminating the decisions that contributed to this humanitarian disaster, the work also provides valuable lessons for addressing future civil conflicts more effectively.
