Despite concern , al-Assad forced to react to opposition . The regime 's carrot-and-stick approach may work in the short term . But it is not sustainable and will only lead to more violence down the road. WikiLeaks cables show a government hamstrung by internal disagreement .
Despite concern , al-Assad forced to react to opposition . The regime 's carrot-and-stick approach may work in the short term . In the long term , there is risk in any strategy , the International Crisis Group says . WikiLeaks cables show a government hamstrung by internal disagreement .