Queen’s University Middle East expert Houchang Hassan-Yari is available to talk about today’s announcement that the Canadian government is organizing an evacuation of Canadian nationals from Syria.

Dr. Hassan-Yari, a fellow in the Centre for International and Defence Policy at Queen’s, feels the move is a signal that the Canadian government feels the end of the Syrian regime is close.

“The end of the Syrian regime is near otherwise the Canadian government wouldn’t be doing this. Evacuating citizens is done when situations in countries are really deteriorating – such as when embassies can’t function normally,” says Dr. Hassan-Yari.

To arrange an interview, please contact communication officers Michael Onesi at 613.533.6000 ext. 77513 or michael.onesi@queensu.ca or Anne Craig at 613-533-2877 or Anne.Craig@queensu.ca at Queen’s University News and Media Services Department in Kingston, Ont., Canada.

Follow Queen’s News and Media Services on Twitter: http://twitter.com/QueensuMedia

Attention broadcasters: Queen’s has facilities to provide broadcast quality audio and video feeds. For television interviews, we can provide a live, real-time double ender from Kingston via fibre optic cable. Please call for details.