Two new reasons not to avert your eyes from Syria

The world appears tempted to turn away as fresh violence is unleashed in Syria. But at stake are not only long-standing humanitarian principles but also lessons for the international community.

It’s being described as the final chapter in Syria’s devastating civil war, but that’s by no means certain. And never, since the conflict began nine years ago, has it been more important to resist the impulse to simply cover our eyes.

The immediate reason is what’s happening on the ground. Hundreds of thousands of civilians are bearing the brunt of...