Syrian allies China and Russia , who last week blocked another United Nations Security Council resolution for new sanctions if Syrian government forces do n't stop attacks against civilians , are opposed to the kind of foreign intervention seen in Iraq as well as in Libya last year . It is hard to predict what might follow the ouster of Bashar al - Assad , they say . Syria 's warning it may use chemical weapons against foreign countries causes alarm . Some believe Syria may descend into sectarian violence , destabilizing the region . Syria 's military is likely to play a key role in how events pan out .
It is hard to predict what might follow the ouster of Bashar al - Assad , they say . Syria 's warning it may use chemical weapons against foreign countries causes alarm . Some believe Syria may descend into sectarian violence , destabilizing the region . Syria 's military is likely to play a key role in how events pan out .