[Arming the Syrian opposition] is often presented as the least intrusive path.  But in fact it might be the worst of all the options. Providing arms to the opposition would not likely allow it to prevail over the Syrian military.  The regime would likely discard whatever restraint it has thus far shown in order to avoid outside intervention. What is more, the Syrian opposition remains fragmented, disorganized and highly localized. Providing weapons will privilege favored groups within the opposition, discredit advocates of non-military strategies, and likely lead to ever more expansive goals.