<span style="text-decoration:underline">NPR | April 5, 2006</span>
The Syrian opposition thought it was time to step up and speak out. But analyst Rime Allaf says Syrian officials looked around the region and determined that the U.S. was too preoccupied to exert much pressure.
ALLAF: I believe the regime doesn't feel right now that it is in a position where it has to give in to some domestic demands when it's beginning to feel stronger internationally.