Canada Ups Sanctions on Syria

In a largely symbolic move, Canada is increasing diplomatic pressure against Assad's brutal regime.

Canada’s foreign minister John Baird has announced that Canada will be stepping up its sanctions against Syrian President Bashar Assad— not that it matters. Baird said that although diplomatic measures are unlikely to work (Canada’s exports to Syria are only worth roughly $60 million annually), Canada is ready to increase pressure on the Syrian government after beginning its sanctions in May. In addition to freezing the assets of people associated with Assad, Ottawa will also ban them from travelling to Canada and has suspended all bilateral co-operation agreements with Syria. Meanwhile, Assad’s brutal crackdown has left at least 19 people dead Sunday in land and sea assaults. It's hard to tell exactly how many casualties there are when the media is forcibly expelled.

Related Links:
The Great Syrian Chess Match

Image courtesy of Reuters.