On Monday the Syrian army advanced into the southern city of Deraa. In a statement the government said troops had been deployed on the request of citizens who were worried about "armed extremists".

Inside Story presenter Dareen Abughaida discusses with guests: Najib Ghadbian, a professor of Political Science at the University of Arkinsas; Hassan Nafaa, a professor of Political Science at Cairo University; and Ian Black, Middle East editor of The Guardian newspaper.

This episode of Inside Story aired on Tuesday, April 26, 2011.