Far from leading to a swift overthrow of the Assad regime in Syria, US arming of rebel groups will "make the suffering and bloodshed worse".

As in the case of Palestine, and unless the international community oversteps its most prurient interests and comes together to help Syria emerge from its current violence, we could well end up with a failed state that is not too distant from the Somali experience, says regional expert and observer Dr Harry Hagopian. We could indeed witness the fragmentation of the country, as many Syrians currently claim is slowly, inexorably happening. Yet there is still room for manoeuvre and hope.

A film that illustrates peaceful alternatives to the destructive cycle of violence in Syria is being given a special screening in Edinburgh tonight.