Syria's civil war began as part of the Arab Spring uprisings but is now locked in stalemate as the death toll rises beyond an estimated 80,000 people.
This week the European Union agreed to drop its ban on arming the opposition forces from the autumn. In apparent response, Russia vowed to supply the Assad government with high-powered anti-aircraft missiles.
Meanwhile the United Nations is split and Barack Obama's government is also divided on what response is appropriate. Western public opinion swings between the anecdotal "something must be done" sentiments and a strong stated opposition to military intervention.
In the studio to discuss how a political settlement could work are foreign affairs writer Jonathan Steele, foreign affairs leader writer David Hearst and our political columnist Martin Kettle.
Also this week: as Australia moves firmly onto election footing we hear from prime minister Julia Gillard. After an exclusive interview this week with our Australian political editor Lenore Taylor, Gillard was forced to state on the record that she would serve out full term in parliament, should she lose in September (an outcome which polls show is highly likely). The election already looks like being one of the most bitterly contested in the nation's history. You can follow all the twists and turns on Guardian Australia.
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