Disgusting Irony Involving Syria

[Talhe]

For the New Year, I bring new news, and a positive piece at that. According to Al-Jazeera, there's been questioning of the effectiveness of the probe, and recommendations that it be suspended. Granted, you'd think that having the murderous genocidal Sudanese general would be suspect, but you get what you can.

(The story is on the Al-Jazeera site: Arab body wants withdrawal of Syria monitor)

[svalbard]

Originally Posted by Talhe

For the New Year, I bring new news, and a positive piece at that. According to Al-Jazeera, there's been questioning of the effectiveness of the probe, and recommendations that it be suspended. Granted, you'd think that having the murderous genocidal Sudanese general would be suspect, but you get what you can.

(The story is on the Al-Jazeera site: Arab body wants withdrawal of Syria monitor)

Hi Talhe,

What is going on in Syria is wrong. At the same time, as you point out, it is pertinant to question any monitoring of the situation. I used to work with a Syrian Christian and he was quite positive about Assad's regime. Yet when we explored why he was here working in Ireland to support his family in Syria, the only thing he could come up with was that at least his family were safe under Assad's regime. The economics were a different arguement altogether.

Sad I know, but looking at what is happening in Tunisia and Eygpt it says something about a secular dictator. I wish there was a more simpler solution to the miseries of the people of the middle east.

Or is it as simple as Rober Fisk purt it. All they want is to be left alone(by outside powers to decide their own fate).

[Talhe]

Originally Posted by svalbard

Hi Talhe,

What is going on in Syria is wrong. At the same time, as you point out, it is pertinant to question any monitoring of the situation. I used to work with a Syrian Christian and he was quite positive about Assad's regime. Yet when we explored why he was here working in Ireland to support his family in Syria, the only thing he could come up with was that at least his family were safe under Assad's regime. The economics were a different argument altogether.

Sad I know, but looking at what is happening in Tunisia and Eygpt it says something about a secular dictator. I wish there was a more simpler solution to the miseries of the people of the middle east.

Or is it as simple as Rober Fisk purt it. All they want is to be left alone(by outside powers to decide their own fate).

I hear you there. I see the Syrian regime, and I can't help but think Assad and the rest of his regime is scared out of their wits. They've seen what happened to Mubarek and Qaddafi/Khaddafi/whatever, and they will do everything in their power to avoid that fate. And not just the government is worried; the Alawites see the Copts in Egypt, Iraqi Christians, and Kurds, and know that they'll end up like them or worse if the Arabist/Ba'athist government is replaced with the ikhwan or even worse, Salafists. (I'd mention the Mizrahim and Sephardi Jews, but I doubt they'd want to compare themselves to them.

(I apologize if this post only provided redundant information to you; I do not think you're ill-informed or wrong.)

[Vertigo]

Edit: Sorry Talhe, you got your post in whilst I was typing. \my comments were really addressed to the previous post by Svalbard. However you seem to be saying much the same (only more knowledgably than me) about the fears of the minorities.

You're absolutely right about the minority groups in Syria; they are reasonably OK under Assad but are seriously scared about him being replaced by a more fundamentalist Sunni regime.

Not sure Fisk is right though. I saw interviews with a number of the Egyptian activist leaders and they all had wanted and expected help from the West and America in particular; after all they are the champions of democracy aren't they? They were seriously angry when no such help was forthcoming other than a few platitudes about how Mubarak could be a little nicer to his people. America only came in with any real support once it was looking like the Activists were going to win and the Egyptian military seemed to be taking their side. My point is that they wanted and expected the help of the Western democracies in their fight for their own deocracy.

[svalbard]

A few points to this reply.

1. I am involved in a serious game of poker at the moment and listening to the Flaming Lips. My resultant words cannot be taking in a seroius lig(just folded a big hand......shouldn't have...balls)

2. Vertigo,

I would tend to agree. My proviso is that I put a lot of stock with what Fisk says. Maybe it is a fault of mine, but what he says tends to be borne out with who I speak to from region. Love going to see the man speak live!

3. Talhe,

Loosing this game of poker. It's Vertigo's fault, started responding to his post ages ago... I actually bow to your greater knowledge and would be very interested in your views. Especially on the Salafists.

[RJM Corbet]

Yes, Talhe, I'd also like you to carry on

[Talhe]

Well, um, I'm glad to see my college education on religion and politics being... useful . On Fisk, I can understand the general sentiment, but I think it's anachronistic. The world is growing more connected each day, and one nations actions will affect others. If Egypt decides to close the Suez because it refuses to allow 'infidels' to pass, other countries will intervene in some manner. (I'm not arguing for meddling in domestic politics/government or exporting 'freedom' and 'values' to other countries, however.)

As for the Salafists, I find them repulsive; I'm against religion and government mixing, and the Salafists want them to be one. Assuming they gained more power then the MB, (I think) they'll attempt to create a theocracy, which will be oppressive, and/or lead to civil conflict such as the one between Egyptian liberals and the MB and Salafists or worse, thte Taliban and... everyone else, for the most part.

Hope you all had a good New Years!