The Wire

Over the weekend, the Arab League voted to suspend Syria’s membership until the regime of Bashar al Assad ends the violence against protesters. Syria now has until Wednesday to convince the League it’s willing to change, otherwise the suspension will come into force and economic sanctions will be implemented.

The uprising that began in March has turned into a drawn out and violent conflict. The United Nations says at least 3500 people have died in the past eight months. Many commentators are waiting to see what the suspension will mean for Syrian people. Some believe it’s a brave step forward by the League to isolate Assad in the region, but others say it’s little more than window dressing.