Airpower options for Syria
Subtitle: assessing objectives and missions for aerial intervention
By: Karl P. Mueller, Jeffrey Martini, and Thomas Hamilton
Contributors: Rand Corporation; Center for Middle East Public Policy (Rand Corporation); Center for Middle East Public Policy (Rand Corporation); Hamilton, Thomas (Physical scientist), author
Series: RAND Corporation research report series -- RR446
Publisher: RAND Corporation
Published: 2013
Place of publication: Santa Monica, CA]
Language: eng
Number of pages: 19
ISBN-13: 9780833082046
Subjects: Air power; Evaluation; Intervention (International law); History; Military art and science; Relations
Description: "This report offers an operationally informed overview of options for U.S. and allied military intervention in the Syrian civil war using airpower. It does not argue that the United States should intervene in Syria, but seeks to inform discussion of the requirements and risks of various options should such a decision be made." "Key findings: Destroying the Syrian air force or grounding it through intimidation is operationally feasible but would have only marginal benefits for protecting Syrian civilians. ; Neutralizing the Syrian air defense system would be challenging but manageable; however, it would not be an end in itself. ; Defending safe areas in Syria's interior would amount to intervention on the side of the opposition. ; An air campaign against the Syrian army could do more to ensure that the regime fell than to determine its replacement. ; Airpower could reduce the Assad regime's ability or desire to launch chemical weapon attacks, but eliminating its arsenal would require a large ground operation."
Notes: "RAND Corporation research report series."--Web page (PDF).

"RR-446-CMEPP."--Page [20].

"This research was ... conducted within the RAND Center for Middle East Public Policy ..."--Page [20].

Includes bibliographical references (pages 17-19).