Syria’s Latest Crack Down Results in International Blowback

Thousands of Syrian refugees spilled into Turkey as a violent government crackdown unfolded over the weekend.   The crackdown was carried out by elite Syrian troops in reaction to reports of dozens of military defections in the northwestern town of Jisr al-Shughour. Foreign journalists have not been allowed into the country. However, the Syrian government did invite a small group of reporters to travel up north with the army. Bassem Mroue, Beirut Bureau Chief for the Associated Press says his colleague at the AP was part of this group, and he describes what he’s learned. Amr al-Azm,   assistant professor of Middle East History and Anthropology is an expert on Syria at Shawnee State University in Ohio. He responds to the latest news.