While lingering violence in Syria shows no sign of abating - a more brutal battle may be on the horizon. Nourished by a series of fierce political clashes, the fragile sectarian balance has started crumbling.
Sectarian violence will most certainly engulf Syria if President Assad is overthrown - so says Beirut-based political scientist Dr. Nada Hashwi. She also believes this will have a domino effect on neighboring countries.
