It’s Syria’s turn.
Some friends and colleagues better positioned than I to speculate on the likely outcome of the protests in Der`aa have promised to write a few commentaries on the subject, perhaps early next week.
In the meantime, let’s have an open forum on the subject. Please do post links to news items and videos in the comment section, and I will add them to the main post. Here are a few things worth reading, just to kick us off:
As Protests Mount, Is There A Soft Landing for Syria? (Joshua Landis, TIME.com)
The Baathist regime that has ruled Syria for 48 years is on the ropes. Even President Bashar al-Assad himself seems to have been shocked by the level of violence used by Syria’s security forces to suppress demonstrations that began a week ago, and on Thursday afternoon his office announced unprecedented concessions to popular demands. But the question of whether those concessions assuage protesters’ concerns or prove to be too little too late may be answered on the streets after Friday prayers.
The protests began a week ago in the dusty agricultural town of Dara’a, near the border with Jordan, over the arrests of high school students for scrawling antigovernment graffiti. Those demonstrations quickly spun out of control, with thousands joining in, inspired by the wave of revolutions that have rocked the Arab world, to demand political freedoms and an end to emergency rule and corruption. The government responded brutally, killing over 30 demonstrators and wounding many more, according to activists. Gruesome videos of the crackdown, disseminated via the Internet in recent days, have enraged Syrians from one end of the country to the other. (keep reading)
LIVE UPDATES on Syria Protests (from NOW Lebanon)
Graphic courtesy of NOW Lebanon (click to follow)
A very good feed of news reports, videos, images, etc. on the unrest in Syria and at Syrian embassies worldwide.
Thousands March to Protest Syria Killings (NYT)
Syria‘s repressive leadership came under unexpectedly heavy pressure on Thursday as thousands of angry demonstrators massed again in the southern city of Dara’a, demanding democratic reform and protesting the deaths of more than a dozen people shot by security forces in the past week.
The government of President Bashar al-Assad, unaccustomed to concessions, rapidly announced a series of reforms, including a salary increase for public workers, greater freedom for the news media and political parties, and a reconsideration of the emergency rule that has clamped down the nation for 48 years.
Mr. Assad also ordered prisoners taken during the crackdown this week to be freed. An adviser said publicly that Mr. Assad had ordered troops not to fire live rounds at protesters in Dara’a and that “there were, maybe, some mistakes.” (Keep reading)
International Crisis Group Conflict Risk Alert on Syria
Syria is at what is rapidly becoming a defining moment for its leadership. There are only two options. One involves an immediate and inevitably risky political initiative that might convince the Syrian people that the regime is willing to undertake dramatic change. The other entails escalating repression, which has every chance of leading to a bloody and ignominious end. Already, the unfolding confrontation in the southern city of Deraa gives no sign of quieting, despite some regime concessions, forceful security measures and mounting casualties. For now, this remains a geographically isolated tragedy. But it also constitutes an ominous precedent with widespread popular resonance that could soon be repeated elsewhere. (keep reading)
Syrians For Peaceful Reform and The Syrian Revolution 2011 are two very different Facebook groups, both worth checking out.
Andrew Tabler: Syria Protests Call for Strong U.S. Stance
…Thus far, the Asad regime has refused to accept Washington’s criticism of its record on human rights and democracy. This month’s protests provide Washington with the opportunity to reiterate calls for universal freedoms — whether Damascus likes it or not. On March 24, the State Department condemned the “Syrian government’s brutal repression of demonstrations, in particular the violence and killings of civilians at the hands of security forces,” and also said, “Those responsible for the violence must be held accountable.” To achieve this, and to ensure that Asad follows through with his promises to enact domestic reforms, the United States should publicly pressure the regime to respect human rights and political freedoms, and institute rule of law in the country. (keep reading)
Qifa Nabki 
Israel prefers the Assad regime in Syria over any “unpredictable” succeeding regime/system. http://goo.gl/eQYdV
Posted by issam | March 25, 2011, 10:39 amBest on the net covering uprising in Syria is NowLebanon:
http://www.nowlebanon.com/NewsArticleDetails.aspx?ID=253828
Follow them on Twitter @nowlebanon
Posted by R2D2 | March 25, 2011, 10:44 amHere’s my first question:
With Mikati’s business partners (and probably his massive businesses) close to collapsing, is Mikati, a man closely associated to the Assad regime and clan, still the right man for the premiership in Lebanon?
Posted by R2D2 | March 25, 2011, 10:53 amR2D2
Which business partners?
Posted by Qifa Nabki | March 25, 2011, 10:55 amQN,
Out of pure curiosity: Why do you call it “Arab Rebellion” and not “Arab Revolution/s”?
–msk*
Posted by MSK* | March 25, 2011, 11:00 amQN,
The Makhloufs.
Posted by R2D2 | March 25, 2011, 11:04 amQifa
Come on now seriously “Now Hariri” ?????
you can’t find better that this Rag? It’s like getting your news from the Enquirer.
Let’s wait and get some credible news.
Posted by elsheikh | March 25, 2011, 11:11 amI just could not understand why the Syrian regime supporters were cheering the revolution in Egypt. When Qardawi gave the huge sermon in Tahrir square it became crystal clear that change in Egypt meant huge problems for Syria.
By the way, no Lebanese whatever his political inclination, should be cheering what is happening in Syria. What Lebanon needs is an orderly change in Syria. A civil war or the Muslim Brotherhood coming to power would be devastating for Lebanon.
Posted by AIG | March 25, 2011, 11:13 amIt is too early to tell how these protests will pick up steam. Bashar’s regime will try their true and proven way. Violence. There has been more deaths today. The Now Lebanon live link is great source of information irrespective of what elsheikh says lol (Dude are you disputing the information or you are a just a die hard HA operative?)
AIG, the Muslim Brotherhood has evolved into a political force. There’s no need to try to scare anyone of any fanatical stuff./ I would say Bibi is more extreme than any MB leader I have listened to lately. Did Israel collapse because of Begin or Sharon? Give us a break! People of Syria will decide their own fate.
I have a feeling it might radicalize HA more as it might feel cornered if regime in Syria is anti HA. Either way I feel that Lebanese will get the raw end of this change.
Posted by danny | March 25, 2011, 11:25 amHere’s a poissble nightmare scenario:
March 8 offer the Assads and their clan refuge in Lebanon.
Posted by R2D2 | March 25, 2011, 11:37 amsorry – possible
Posted by R2D2 | March 25, 2011, 11:38 amThe genius of the UNSC resolution on Libya is already paying some dividends , just as expected. The resolution , intended or not, is being interpreted all throughout the Arab world that the dictatorial regimes will not be allowed to use arms to silence dissent. That was a major reason for the protesters in Syria not to fear the armed forces, there will not be another Hama, at least not under the current circumstances. Note also the demonstrators in Bahrain carrying signs exhorting the security council to interfere.
An Arab spring is overdue and will take hold. If not this time then next time around. Human rights and political freedoms are viewed in the modern world as intrinsic rights and no dictator is going to take these rights, that are inalienable, away.
The violence and bloodshed that many are concerned about need not happen if the abusers of powers and oppressors vacate the offices that they have occupied illegitimately in some cases for half a century. But even if sacrifices are called for then so be it; freedom is not free.
The great Greek philosophers’ example of 2500 years ago is still as relevant as ever. He preferred to stay in prison and chose death over gaining symbolic freedom by telling a lie and bribing guards.
Would the Arab spring take hold? I am not sure that it would, but this is no reason not to try.
Posted by Ghassan Karam | March 25, 2011, 11:39 amWith QN’s permission, I will be posting raw footage out of Syrian protests across Syria today :
Posted by R2D2 | March 25, 2011, 11:51 am
Posted by R2D2 | March 25, 2011, 11:52 amDanny,
Come on, Bibi, Sharon and Begin are/were democratically elected leaders that also lost elections and always played by the democratic rules. Are you really comparing the Likud party with its decades of democratic traditions to the Muslim Brotherhood in Syria?
Do you really think the MB are not still mad about Hama? Have you recently listened to what Qardawi has to say? The minorities in Syria are worried and rightly so.
Posted by AIG | March 25, 2011, 11:53 amhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8m5i6o1lGU
Posted by R2D2 | March 25, 2011, 11:54 am
Posted by R2D2 | March 25, 2011, 11:54 am
Posted by R2D2 | March 25, 2011, 11:55 amGK,
Just to keep it real, here is what I posted when Amir envisioned a no fly zone over Syria on SC:
It would be much more difficult to implement a no fly zone over Syria. You would need permission from Lebanon, Turkey, Jordan, Iraq or Israel. Neither one is likely to give Nato or the US permission to do so using its air space. For all practical purposes, you need Turkish permission. What are the chances of them agreeing?
Posted by AIG | March 25, 2011, 11:55 amAIG-Syria is not a landlocked country.
Posted by Nasser V | March 25, 2011, 12:16 pmIt looks like not many here really understand the Syrian history.
I referred in a comment in the previous post to Sultan al-Atrash and his two line pop poetry which he uttered and galvanized all of Syria against the French and mesmerized the French media for months at the time.
There was no UNSC at the time and the French were even more brutal in dealing with the revolution than the current despot, usurper of power and agent of ‘Persian Shu’ubiyya’. Even Damascus didn’t escape the wrath of the French artillery. You may want to check out the ‘prince of poets’ Ahmed Chauki’s poem in which he commemorated and eternalized the shelling and destruction brought upon Damascus by the French in the late 1920s.
سلامٌ من صبا بردى ارقُّ
ودمعٌ لا يُكفكف يا دمشقُ
٠٠٠
So who needs the UN and a no-fly zone over Syria? Wait and you will see wonders coming out of Syria. Believe me Egypt Tunisia and Libya will be nothing in comparison
So, Assad controls the uper tier of the military, which is what? 2 to 3% of the army? How do you think the rest of the army will behave?
This AIG character is really getting irritating, very irrational and paranoid. Again who is he to advise Lebanese and Syrians on what is best for them? If you do not like what you see then boil your stupid deed and drink it as a soup.
Posted by anonymous | March 25, 2011, 12:22 pmNasser,
Of course not.
Which bases do you see Nato using to enforce a no fly zone? The American air base in Turkey is the only reasonable option that comes to mind.
Posted by AIG | March 25, 2011, 12:25 pmAIG
I never expected this response from you 🙂 If you would go back to read the UNSC resolution then you would find that it was not limited to a No Fly Zone. It spoke of other measures necessary. It said very clearly do not use the military fire power against civilian demonstrators. That is precisely why I did not mention a No Fly Zone in my post.
Do you really believe that it would take more than a few days/weeks to ground all the Syrian Air Force?
Posted by Ghassan Karam | March 25, 2011, 12:27 pmhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=–6mPoRZnvo
Posted by R2D2 | March 25, 2011, 12:35 pmGK,
If the Turks cooperate, it can be done quickly. If they don’t, it becomes very costly and time consuming.
Posted by AIG | March 25, 2011, 12:39 pmthe Salafi movement, and it’s active agents, are driving all this in Syria. Make no mistake, the anti-thesis to the Assads’ rule is Sunni Fundamentalism.
Damascenes pride themselves in being able to negotiate and talk their way out of a tight situation. For their sake and ours, let’s hope they’ll be able to reason this one out.
Posted by Zoob Al-Souri | March 25, 2011, 12:40 pmAIG.
You are right to be concerned as protesters are calling Maher Assad, head of the Republican Guard & Assad’s brother, a coward for not taking back the Golan by force. Ynet’s Arab affairs reporter Roee Nahmias has a direct line to some in the opposition, making his coverage of events in Syria “unique”.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4047728,00.html
(Lest there be some disdainful sniffing about an Israeli reporting on Syrian events from the perspective of opposition insider sources, rest assured that Nahmias has the NOW LEBANON stamp of approval. They publish his articles.)
Sec Def Gates (in Israel) is calling on the Syrian army to follow the example of the Egyptian army and allow the regime to be toppled.
Doubts exist that Gates is reflecting official WH policy of regime change. We will see.
As far as a NFZ for Syria, wouldn’t it be more politic (from an American pov) for GCC states to take the lead?
Posted by lally | March 25, 2011, 12:45 pmLally,
The last thing I am worried about are the calls to free the Golan. They just enforce the point that Arabs are not buying anymore the “resistance” propaganda.
Posted by AIG | March 25, 2011, 1:04 pmThe only land-locked country in the whole of Middle East is Israel and will remain so until the likes of AIG become extinct.
But that is besides the point. There will be no need for NFZ’s over Syria. Most likely the pilots will bomb the Muhajereen palace or Qarda7ha and then land in ‘Amman or Jeddah, refuel and fly again for another another mission.
Posted by anonymous | March 25, 2011, 2:06 pmI don’t think the Assads & Co. will turn Syria into Libya.
They will probably seek an exit to their villas in Marbella.
Posted by R2D2 | March 25, 2011, 2:14 pmI could be wrong…But don’t the British have bases in Cyrus? and how about the planes coming off the navy ships?
Posted by danny | March 25, 2011, 2:17 pmNext is Iran. Time for the people to rise against the W of F… and topple the corrupt mullahs.
R2D2…Bashar will abdicate quicker than all the tyrants and move to England.
Posted by danny | March 25, 2011, 2:19 pmR2D2 29,
… and at last practice Spanish ophthalmology. What a waste of ‘talent’?!
Posted by anonymous | March 25, 2011, 2:21 pmThe schedule as in 31 makes the most perfect sense.
Posted by anonymous | March 25, 2011, 2:26 pm15.AIG,
I am not championing the MB. However, they have NOT had the option of running in democratic elections. I think the Syrian people would shock you. They are more in tune with the western democratic principles than you give them credit for! If Extremist Jews are allowed to run for seats in the Knesset…It is more than right to allow MB to field their own candidates!
Posted by danny | March 25, 2011, 2:27 pmNot a word on events in Syria on Al Manar’s website.
How long can SHN keep his silence ? Not very long.
I suspect we’ll be seeing him soon with “evidence” on foreign interference in Syria’s protests.
Wagers anyone?
Posted by R2D2 | March 25, 2011, 3:01 pmAIG says: “A civil war or the Muslim Brotherhood coming to power would be devastating for Lebanon.”
Oh really? I am no fan, but what could they possibly do?:
Arm factions, Lebanese or Palestinian, in Leb including religious fanatics?
Start a civil war that will destroy Lebanon?
Shell Lebanese civilians directly or via proxies?
Invade us for 30 years?
Kill Lebanese presidents, PMs, journalists, officers, religious figures?
I shudder to think. Oh wait! I forgot. All that already happened with the Baath of Papa, and Baby Doc. You know what? I’ll take my chances with regime change.
Posted by OldHand | March 25, 2011, 3:26 pmDanny,
I would be happy to be pleasantly surprised. But I don’t expect the Syrian MB to be that much different than the one in Gaza (Hamas) or the one in Israel. The philosophy of these organizations is one person, one vote, one time.
Posted by AIG | March 25, 2011, 3:29 pmwouldn’t it be super ironic if Syria had to call in the Lebanese army to help stabilize the situation :p
Posted by doulz | March 25, 2011, 3:35 pmAIG,
From your comments on this blog, the best definition I can attribute to you is that you are a colonialist Atheist.
You should move to South Africa.
Ya!?
Posted by R2D2 | March 25, 2011, 3:39 pmI’d have suggested America, AIG … but no, way to many Protestants and New Born Idiots for you.
My honest suggestion is go back to where you once came from.
Europe, Russia … ?
Helen Thomas meant well for you.
Posted by R2D2 | March 25, 2011, 3:53 pmR2D2,
Why the aggression?
Posted by danny | March 25, 2011, 4:11 pmR2D2,
You can call me what you like, it really will not help solve any of your problems which are with your fellow Arabs, not with me. The people that kicked you out of Lebanon in 1975 were Arabs, not Jews. The people who signed the Cairo Agreement that brought Arafat to Lebanon were Lebanese, not Israelis. Yes, you can blame Adam and Eve for all your problems, but we both know their true cause.
By the way,I am second generation born in Israel and therefore very indigenous to the area.
Posted by AIG | March 25, 2011, 4:15 pmAIG,
You have much in common with 2nd and 3rd generation South Africans that I have been fortunate enough to meet in their “native” homeland.
Posted by R2D2 | March 25, 2011, 4:21 pmIsn’t it ironic when a Lebanese racist, dense idiot asks someone in Israel to go back where they came from? Knowing that a very large segment of the Lebanese people took on new homes and countries across the globe. Wouldn’t it be fun if the West or the whole world adopts this racist Lebanese mentality and ask all the Lebanese parasites who thrive on welfare in Canada the US and Europe to go back where they came from?
And how about the hooded grand priest anonymous worried about the Lebanese being deported from the Gulf attributing it to Nasralla’s rant. We didn’t hear you complain when hundreds got deported from UAE few months ago before anything happened in Bahrain or elsewhere. Those poor democratic regimes in the Gulf they are just responding to the Iranian / Shia threat, other than that they are perfect examples of Democracy and human rights
Posted by V | March 25, 2011, 4:28 pmR2D2,
I on the other hand have found Lebanese that I have met to be quite unique and not so easily put into two word categories or compared wholesale to other nationalities.
Posted by AIG | March 25, 2011, 4:30 pmV,
I am right here in Lebanon.
Where are you ?
Posted by R2D2 | March 25, 2011, 4:32 pmR2D2 that is irrelevant, besides engaging a fraud and an idiot like you in discussion is futile.
Posted by V | March 25, 2011, 4:38 pmLandis in denial?
Whats this talk of reform? can a 4- decades old regime that hasnt been oiled in a while, just instantaneously change gears into reform mode?
If it was that easy, why didnt they do it before? He had 11 years.
And if they do take place…lifting of emergency laws, press freedom,freedom of expression, economic and social reform etc….wouldnt that spell the end of a regime based on an iron will rule?
So however you look at it, the Baathist regime will fall. Assad and Co. might remain in power with some wily Machiavellian maneuvers.
Just a point, the underlying current in all these Arab revolts, rebellions and revolutions, is not an anti-West one or an anti-Neo liberal, or an anti anything. It is simply a pro-freedom movement that encompasses economic,social and political freedoms born of intolerable restrictions in one’s own land.
Posted by Maverick | March 25, 2011, 4:53 pmv,
Landis is not in denial. He is a tool of the Baathist dictators. He thinks by soft peddling and with comments like”Even President Bashar al-Assad himself seems to have been shocked by the level of violence used by Syria’s security forces to suppress demonstrations that began a week ago, and on Thursday afternoon his office announced unprecedented concessions to popular demands…”
Now really? I guess the butcher was NOR shocked at the death toll today!
He wants to paint the oppressor with the brush of a reformist. Same as they BS-ed when he took over.
Posted by danny | March 25, 2011, 4:57 pmTheres the last book that Samir Kassir wrote before his assassination called Being an Arab, where he predicted a coming of the second Arab Nahda or renaissance. Very uplifting and thought provoking.
Posted by Maverick | March 25, 2011, 4:57 pmwhat is happening is the best revenge against all the taunting we heard from “qewa al momana3a” about the defeat of the New Middle East project
Posted by V | March 25, 2011, 4:58 pm1-Now PM designate Mikati’s job of forming a government gets even more difficult and the chances of him asking to be excused of forming a government just went through the roof.
2- If you are bored during the day and want to watch some comedy, try to watch the official Syrian Satellite channel. Reminds me of the official Egyptian TV that claimed that the people in the streets are out cheering on the regime.
Posted by MM | March 25, 2011, 5:15 pmLandis is in denial only because he still cannot figure out how to live on a salary only income.
Too bad for him and his family they may have to cut expenses to make ends meet.
Posted by anonymous | March 25, 2011, 5:20 pmMost writers here generally seem to know facts and English more than me. Still here are some solid facts
As for air activity over Syria. Syria can be entered from the sea, Between Leb. and Turky. One USN carrier battle group should easily take care of every thing military that Syria can put in the air, electronic war included. That is what the USA people are paying taxes for. Also the Electronic bases in Cyprus have the so called electronic finger printing of every thing military in Syria, on land, air and water, if there is such a thing. However the next actions of NATO or the USA or any others have to do with what POTUS Obama has on his mind and that is the great unknown.
As for war calls from Egypt, Syria and USA I was thinking that only mad Jews in the USA are all out for a war in the ME, I was wrong. Still, seemingly most of callers for war know what war is all about, therefoe they are calling for it from the USA, Canada included, not from the ME. The people in Israel and Lebanon know, from personal experience, what war is all about. Most of the presently living populations in Egypt and Syria do not know. Still I am not sure who is calling for war in Syria, it could be agents of any body or government, not only the MB.
As for some of the writers here doing to the Israeli Jews what some of you or other Lebanese did to the Jews in Lebanon, that is total and absolute ethnic cleaning. My fore fathers came from South Lebanon to what is now Israel before the French imperialism created Lebanon and before other Lebanese went to the USA, I know you the good ones, the Majority, and the others. I believe that some of you would do it if they could, therefore I will do my best that it will not happen, I would suggest that they will not try. That has nothing to do with the Palestinian question as I believe in two nations, two states more or less around the so called green line. And again it is between Israel and the Palestinians. To these Lebanese who stick their noses in that mess, bringing in sanctimonous platitudes about morality, I will mention again the fate of the Jews of Lebanon and the much better fate of the Israeli Palestinians. To those who talk like that racist Thomas woman I will say that Jews were living in what are Israel and Lebanon before Christianity, before Islam, before the USA before the artifical state of Lebanon ( at least as artifical as Israel, i.e. who brought the Armenians to Leb. and why? )before any Lebanese migrated to the USA.
Posted by Rani Hazbani | March 25, 2011, 5:45 pmAIG @ #28
YOU may not be concerned with calls to take back the Golan by force but some of your fellow countrymen are very worried about the devils they don’t know all that well in charge of Syria’s men & materiel.
danny @ #31
Yes, the Brits do have bases in Cyprus and the Israelis have become much cozier with the place since relations w/ Turkey went “tits up” in regards to the military-to-military cooperation.
R2D2 @ #36
Re your anticipation that Nasrallah will note foreign interventions, here’s a checklist for you:
“Amman, March 24 (Petra) — Jordan on Thursday denied as baseless, reports that fighters and vehicles loaded with weapons entered Syria from inside Jordanian territory.”
State Minister for Media Affairs and Communication, Taher Al Adwan said such reports are nothing but media allegations that will not affect the good relations between the two countries.
http://www.imra.org.il/story.php3?id=51525
and….
“The Al Watan daily on Tuesday morning quoted “an official in a Syrian communications company” as saying that “a large number of residents complained that they had received text messages on their cell phones calling on them to join the riots.”
The same source was also quoted as saying that an investigation found that the messages had been sent from “a military base in Tel Hashomem (apparently referring to Tel Hashomer near Tel Aviv) in Palestine, where the Israeli army concentrates its intelligence units.”
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4042925,00.html
and…….
“Meanwhile, Syria tried once again to blame Israel for the civil unrest. One official told SANA that “over a million text messages, mostly from Israel, have been sent to Syrians. The messages have called on them to ‘use mosques as a base for starting riots’.
PS. My guess is that “v” is in NYC or DC. Sounds like a typical neoconish thinktanker or a fellow traveler.
Posted by lally | March 25, 2011, 5:49 pmLally, if it’s that important i am in Bagram Air Base… that should fuel your conspiratorial imagination.
Posted by V | March 25, 2011, 6:13 pmV.
Actually, your present locale is intriguing, but too vague to be of much use. You could be hitchhiking on a CODEL for all I know.
Posted by lally | March 25, 2011, 7:31 pmRani,
Honestly, you started good but ended really really bad.
Please do not teach us history or who came first and who came later. Also, you chauvinism is not appreciated by me at least and I would assume by others as well.
If you claim you’re originally Lebanese you are quite welcome to go back, but with a different attitude than what you exhibit in your comment.
We all know and the world knows full well that you guys are very very late comers on the scene. So behave accordingly and step not outside your bounds.
Posted by anonymous | March 25, 2011, 7:41 pmUnless something is done about it, the Lebanese in the Gulf may face a similar fate to that the Palestinians endured in Kuwait in the 90s,
http://www.14march.org/news-details.php?nid=Mjg0ODg0
The Palestinians, in fact, were responsible for building Kuwait before they were kicked out thanks to Arafat’s bravado in return for few salvos N.Korean useless balistics.
This is only the begining. And whereas, it may not be enacted into legistlations in those countries, it may become a standard practice and up to the whims of any official who is responsible for granting or renewing entry visas.
Will Lebanon and its economy survive a suicidal HNA?
Posted by anonymous | March 25, 2011, 7:54 pmRani @ #55
Thanks for confirming some stuff I picked up during Operation Box on the Euphrates. I don’t think the Turks would be so amenable to that route next time ’round unless the planes are American. But, geopolitically, there’s no effin’ way the USofA could openly be involved in a NFZ on Syria unless Congress starts chanting:
“We will liberate Syria with blood and fire.”
In unison.
Posted by lally | March 25, 2011, 9:20 pmSomebody is taking a real good care of Landis at his own Syriacomment,
Posted by anonymous | March 25, 2011, 9:24 pmLally’s Lull
danny, V, AIG, GK,
Great posts.
No fly Zones? Muslim Brotherhood, al Queda?
Who TF cares?
Baby steps.
Of course the Islamists and Iran are going to try to take over.
This is a time over rejoicing. Democracy finally has a chance. A good chance. If Arab democracies want another Iran…fine. If Arab democracies want to go to war to “get the Golan back”, great.
If Arab democracies want jobs, rule-of-law, fairness, freedoms, and peace with Israel, that’s even better.
Sorry Lally;)
Posted by Akbar Palace | March 25, 2011, 11:31 pmFlotilla NewZ
AIG,
Check it out. Turkey is enforcing a blockade of Libya. No joke:
Five Turkish navy ships and a submarine have been despatched to help enforce the arms embargo against Libya.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12864742
There is so much irony out there I could fill a hard drive with it.
Tomorrow I’ll post the following:
Obama’s Regime Change NewZ
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2011/03/23/regime_change_libya_109314.html
Posted by Akbar Palace | March 25, 2011, 11:44 pmAnyway, don’t expect any more NFZs for a while. Just a hunch…
Posted by Akbar Palace | March 25, 2011, 11:50 pmازالة صورة بشار من ميدان درعا
Posted by LebanesePatriot | March 25, 2011, 11:50 pmAmazing updates on the Syrian revolution:
http://www.levantnews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=frontpage&Itemid=1
Check out the video section…
Posted by LebanesePatriot | March 26, 2011, 12:14 amHey A palace.
I don’t take it personally.
No t-shirts, no problemo.
…….
Here’s another one for R2D2’s preemptive check list of Nasrallah’s potential cites re foreign interference and alien influences.
I give you the disgraced & highly respected Nir Rosen:
“holy shit, this could lead to a sectarian civil war in Syria. if that happens I know al Qaeda guys who will be all over it, they’re waiting”
about 7 hours ago via web
http://twitter.com/nirrosen
You betcha AQ would like cleansed playing field with a shot @ HA & Syrian “assets”.
Posted by lally | March 26, 2011, 2:14 amRumors are circulating that Israel is going to react (exploit? protect itself? depends on your point of view) to the turmoil in the Arab countries by dealing a definitive and final blow to HA in Lebanon.
Anyone is privy to any non-gossip information on this?
Posted by Honest Patriot | March 26, 2011, 4:55 amحرية.. حرية” و”يا بثينة يا شعبان شعب درعا مش جوعان”
LOL…
http://www.facebook.com/index.php?lh=a04531c2c24a79addd3abbe4f6d2555f&eu=lTgjmUaNtaMKP9_DgHHb-w#!/Syrian.Revolution
شاهد صور مقاتلي جند الشام بعد الهجوم على مقربة من الحدود الاسرائيلية السورية
ما سيحصل عليه المنتفضون هو دويلة سنية في دمشق وحمص يتنازعها عبد الحليم خدام مع الاخوان المسلمين ودولة أخرى في حلب يتنازعها السلفيون مع الاكراد… اهالي حلب ودمشق اللتان ستغرقان بالدماء التي ستجري بين طالبان معتدلين وطالبان متزمتين
Posted by HK | March 26, 2011, 5:43 amHP, Yes sources privy to highly secret and compartmentalized information from “people in the Know…” say unequivocally that should Israel try any such foolish moves…Israel will be a sour loser again…and Hezbollah will come out Victorious with flying colors…no matter what is thrown at Lebanon…rest assured.
Posted by HK | March 26, 2011, 5:47 amHP,
Come on! Are you falling into HK’s imaginary world? Israel will do absolutely nothing. It will not give the dictators any more fuel for their conspiracy theories. It really does not make sense at all. Israel would be prudent to see that bashar drops and then deal with the after math.
I would venture to assume that any new regime will be against HA and moderate towards Iran. So why muddle the water and offer a cover for Bashar to annihilate the opposition in a bloodier manner!
Posted by danny | March 26, 2011, 6:58 amThe dictatorship in Syria is even more stupid than I imagined – I had thought they had a year or two to go, but may be now we can hope that it only a question of a few months.
What the Makhloufs and al-Assads do not realize, maybe because they don’t pay attention, is that when the UNSC made its historic advancement decision that the international community has the right and obligation to protect innocent civilians from wanton violence agianst civilians, then that really is the end of the game for them.
If they had half a brain – if they cared at all about the now worried alawi, christian and druze communities for a start – if they had half a brain they would hand over power to a constitutional transition team today.
But the makhloufs and al-assads don’t care one tiny bit even about the minorities – the minorities that, let’s be honest, will be resented by the majority when the first fair elections are held in over 50 years.
This is good news for Lebanon and especially for the Syrians. The Democracy Train is on the move – the Arabian peninsular, Persia next.
Then Palestine – one day we will also see the Democracy Train arrive in Palestine. One day the “Right of Return”, the right to live, the right to vote will not be based on race/religion, but based on legitimate claims to live in the Holy Land. One day the Palestinians in Syria and Lebanon will be able to vote for the Israeli parliament – which is their Parliament, their government – just they haven’t got a vote yet.
Posted by s al riachy | March 26, 2011, 7:12 ams al riachy
every time you change the spelling of your name or your URL, I have to clear your comment from moderation. Stick with one format, please.
shukran
Posted by Qifa Nabki | March 26, 2011, 7:24 amdanny, I thought the same as you, but couldn’t help asking because indeed the rumors are there and this forum has been good at answering such questions. In particular, would be interesting to read the take from AIG, elsheikh, AP, QN, GK, anon, R2D2, … , and you’very already chimed in.
Posted by Honest Patriot | March 26, 2011, 8:53 amHP,
A humorous questions: How quickly will Waleed Jumblat flip if the Assad regime is toppled?
I am taking odds. 😀
Posted by danny | March 26, 2011, 9:09 am…and elsheikh…Your majority and premature chest thumping of your majority is about to vanish with the magic dragon’s puff. 😀
Posted by danny | March 26, 2011, 9:17 amdanny, WJ flips only after a beating, so it doesn’t matter what happens where. When it reaches his house/village and he gets a beating, flip is instantaneous.
Posted by Honest Patriot | March 26, 2011, 9:49 amHP,
You have to look at it from the geopolitical point of view. If Bashar falls, it will be a devastating blow to HA and the Mullahs first and foremost. It simply means the end of so-called Jabhat Al-Mumana’ah. Hamas also would be a big loser
I am not just going to say a new regime in Syria will probably move away from Iran but DEFINITELY it will. It will seek to line itself up with the new Egypt and be more transparent in its dealings with KSA. That will be of huge benefit to Lebanon. All those minor players such as Berri, W.J., Wahhab, Aoun, Murad, Miqati, Franjieh etc… will all of a sudden find themselves orphaned. HNA will be left to rot in his bunker.
I am not going to suggest as some did in this thread that the Shia of Lebanon will find themselves sandwiched between Israel and a Sunni Arab world, but the events will force them to make logical choices that are more in tune with Lebanese an Arab interests rather than the interests of the mullahs. They will produce new leadership which will siphon the apparent support to HA and Berri into it.
It is no secret that Israel has been watching the events in the Arab World, and particularly those in Syria. Israeli fears are related to the possibility that Assad may order HA or other groups to create an escalation, perhaps from Lebanon, in order to reshuffle the cards and divert attention away from his internal troubles. That is possible, but until something happens, there will be no attacks on HA. But I would assume there are some plans on paper.
By the way, I do not think that Assad will achieve any gains internally from an escalation carried out by HA. He probably knows that, as the demonstrations have clearly voiced their disdain to his Iranian policies. The demonstrators know exactly what they want; they want FREEDOM and not SLOGANS.
Posted by anonymous | March 26, 2011, 11:19 amHP,
Danny has got it absolutely right, Israel will not do anything. In regards to Hezbollah, the border is quiet, why should we do anything? What is the logic of going to war and ending up in the same situation afterwards?
As for Assad, we have him exactly where we want him. If he stays in power by using violence, Syria will grow even more weak and isolated because there will be even less foreign investment. If Assad falls, most probably the new regime will be anti Iran and anti Hezbollah and will need Western and Saudi support to get on its feet.
The “worst” scenario for Israel (and the one I actually favor) is that Assad is smart enough to make credible reforms fast enough to stay in power while Syria transitions to democracy. This has a low chance of occurring but if Assad is serious the West should help him with this. This is the scenario that Lebanon needs and also the scenario the saves the most blood.
Posted by AIG | March 26, 2011, 11:59 amWhich is why all this talk about Israel going into Southern Lebanon is silly.
1.) At this time, Israel sits back a watches the Arab world implode.
2.) Because the above isn’t the best situation for jihadists like Iran, Hamas, HA, Syria, etc, missiles will continue to fly.
3.) Israel will retaliate locally against Hamas, but if missiles were to fly in from Lebanon, that could be the spark the “resistance” people would need to get the implosion attention off
the front pages.
What we’re seeing is a combination of 1 and 2, but if 3 begins, and it remains to be seen if the rejectionists really think punching Israel can redirect the demonstrators.
Personally, I think we’re beyond that. Also, missiles from Lebanon could produce a back-lash and give more support to the Lebanese moderates (I think that’s “March 14”, right?).
I agree with anonymous’s post above mine.
Posted by Akbar Palace | March 26, 2011, 12:00 pmI think this explains well why Assad is in a no-win situation:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/ridding-syria-of-a-despot/2011/03/25/AFSRRVYB_story.html
Posted by AIG | March 26, 2011, 12:08 pmI hope, wish and pray daily that the Assad Mafia of assassins in Damascus/Syria will be crushed to oblivion YESTERDAY…The Syrian people deserve no less.
But I fear that we are all skinning the cat way ahead of time…and the Infamous White House Murder INC, is still protecting its ASSETS in Damascus on the Potomac….
AIG’s claim to fame and his constant litmus test is and has always been …”The Quiet Borders Test…” !!!
The Quietest borders on the Planet are the Syrian/Israeli borders since 1973…Hence, the Assad Dictatorial regime still has powerful backers in Washington and Tel Aviv…, despite the “Rhetoric”…unless a deal has been struck with Qaradawi and the MBs in Egypt, Syria and beyond….this remains to be seen…Time will tell.
Meantime in the Israeli/Zionist Regime….Dan Rather’s crew was forced to strip search before interviews with Israeli officials…. What do you expect from a cesspool nation of assassins that has its ex-president going to prison for multiple rapes?
We need to move Lebanon and relocate it in the ALPS soonest.
Posted by HK | March 26, 2011, 12:16 pmThe Syrian regime is losing a lot of its confidence. On Friday evening, the bureau chief for Reuters in Damascus was deported according to this WSJ article:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704517404576224533067681492.html
Posted by AIG | March 26, 2011, 12:18 pmIs it true that Farouk Sharaa was killed by Maher Assad? It was posted on the Youth Syria for Freedom Facebook page about an hour ago quoting Al Jazeera.
Posted by anonymous#3 | March 26, 2011, 12:49 pmHP #75
The recent escalation in Gaza and the mysterious bus bomb attack in Jerusalem are suspicious in light of the unification protests in Palestine. I hope Israel will not be stupid enough to launch an Operation Cast Lead II. If they do, it’ll speak volumes.
Hezballah probably need a conflict urgently right now. That is why I hope Gaza won’t escalate as that might provoke Nasrallah to be bold and initiate something under the pretense of protesting the treatment of our Arab brothers at the hands of the Zionists.
An Israeli attack on Lebanon in not “unfavorable” to Assad right now. What he would or could make of such an attack on Lebanon … ? Well, maybe point the finger at Israel and claim “See, I am not your enemy!” to begin with.
As for the gains of Israel in a conflict with Gaza and/or Hezballah … I’ll leave that to those that “get” Netanyahu, Lieberman and Barak.
Posted by R2D2 | March 26, 2011, 1:50 pmI also think Iran would favor a conflict between Israel and Lebanon right now.
I don’t think the Hamas leadership want it. I assume that is why there now are “renegade” gangs in Gaza that have been incited by Tehran to fire these rockets.
It probably isn’t warm between Hamas and Tehran these days.
Posted by R2D2 | March 26, 2011, 2:04 pmAIG,
I agree with most you said #80. About Asad introducing credible reforms, I think it’s too late now. He should have done it 14 days ago, then it could have worked.
There’s a pattern emerging here: demonstration, the regime promises reforms, more demonstrations, the regime releases prisoners, more demonstrations, the regime is firing governors/ministers/PMs, more demonstrations, the regime collapses.
No reason to believe that it will be different this time. Asad is fighting a battle of retreat. Retreat battles are not about victories, but rather about cutting loses before the certain defeat.
.
Posted by Amir in Tel Aviv | March 26, 2011, 2:07 pmsorry.. losses- it should be..
Posted by Amir in Tel Aviv | March 26, 2011, 2:12 pmYou also have to factor in that the Iranians are suffering heavy sanctions for a project that, following Fukushima, might not be such a smart move to vehemently defend. After all, Iran is a quake zone area.
Ahmedin now has to scratch his head how he can go on television and raise his fist for Iran’s right to nuclear energy when his speech will be followed by the latest radiation issues in Japan.
Posted by R2D2 | March 26, 2011, 2:16 pmIt is rumored that Walid “flip-flop” Jumblatt’s recent visit to Damascus had nothing to do with the Gov. formation in Lebanon. He was there to make sure the Syrian Druze do not support any move against the Assad regime. the Israeli Druze leadership is onboard with this.
Posted by V | March 26, 2011, 2:29 pmIf I had my way of Justice in Lebanon, I’d tie WJ down on a chair and invite every Lebanese the opportunity to slap him across the face … once.
I wonder how many would go with the full hand slap vs. the back hand slap.
Posted by R2D2 | March 26, 2011, 2:34 pmV,
WJ has no control over Syrian Druze…as much as he tries! He was there still believing that his read about geopolitics was correct. It is so laughable that the roaring lions (ASADs) have turned to a whimper in front of the will of the people. Again unfortunately; I do not see anything positive coming out of this irrespective of the turn of events in Syria. I think it will harden HA and we might be in for a military takeover of most of Lebanon by the terrorists of HA.
I do not see them negotiating!
Posted by danny | March 26, 2011, 2:34 pm** I could imagine an even more gratifying game than Angry Birds on my Iphone with toppling Lebanese politicians. You start with low weights like Wahhab and gradually move up. Nailing Berri at the final stage is orgasmic! **
Posted by R2D2 | March 26, 2011, 2:40 pmRemarkable!
Discussion above is more accurate and more in-depth than any CNN/MSNBC/FoxNews or any other news-outlet analysis.
Congrats QN commentators!
Keep it coming.
and, altogether now, one bow in unison to Lord QN 😉
Posted by Honest Patriot | March 26, 2011, 3:10 pmHP,
Any “HP” prizes for the winner? 😀
Posted by danny | March 26, 2011, 3:38 pmHK’s Denial is typical of Islamists
But I fear that we are all skinning the cat way ahead of time…and the Infamous White House Murder INC, is still protecting its ASSETS in Damascus on the Potomac….
HK,
I think Iran has more assets in Syria than your favorite punching bag: “Murder Inc”.
Didn’t you see the news report showing the IDF (Murder Inc. #2) pulling tons of weapons from a ship that just stopped in Syria? Here’s the link just in case this is news to you:
http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/netanyahu-arms-on-seized-ship-came-from-iran-via-syria-1.349358
BTW, here’s the REAL “Murder Inc.”, Arab despotic regimes:
http://www.memri.org/clip/en/0/0/0/0/0/0/2872.htm
Posted by Akbar Palace | March 26, 2011, 3:55 pmHP,
Lord QN?!
The lad has a day job for God’s and Queen’s sake. He’s a commoner. He’s made that clearly enough, hasn’t he?
Hear, hear !!
Posted by R2D2 | March 26, 2011, 5:06 pmA week ago I was worried what it could mean for Liban (what happening in Syria and Bahrein). But after reading and talking with people – especially Latakia – it seems democratic movement is based across communities and that makes me less worried for Libananon’s future as a country.
It is possible to realistically hope we could see Indonesia-style/Turkish-style accountable and contestable governance systems in Egypt, Tunisia, Syria, Yemen, Algeria in not so distant future.
It is now possible to realistically hope for the emergence of constitutional monarchies with clear, defined rights of parliaments in Moroc, Jordan, Kuwait.
If the dictator in Manama had more intelligence and moved in same direction, that would pull the floor from under the Iran Regime – if ordinary, shiia in Bahrein were able to get democratic participation through non-violent protests, that would be like a “bomb” underneath the whole “Iran Regime” – it is easy to picture a scenario of Iran going back to the parliamentary system it had in 1953 (which was over-thrown by the U.K. government with BP’s help). The “ayatollahs” are just the new “shahs” – accountable to no one but themselves.
In that new environment, no militia would be able to long continue to carry weapons independent of the state – as the UNSC has now said, the international community has a limit.
If it is going this way in the region, then there are big issues that have to be addressed in the next few years – the status of palestinians and kurds in the country that currently have no residency rights. The best way forward for them, I think, is to recognise them as foreign nationals with the rights that other foreign passport holders have in the country – the Lebanese government needs to approach the Iraqi government and the Palestinian Authority about issuing kurds and palestinians with passports – and the rights that go with holding passports – so that their position in Lebanon is elevated to a reasonable level.
Posted by J Estiphan | March 26, 2011, 5:11 pmButhaina Sha’aban declared today that the recent disturbances and the killings were actually carried out by foreigners and not by authentic Syrians.
That, she said, was the result of a ‘thorough’ investigation conducted by the Syrian government. The conclusion of that investigation, in her opinion, proves without a shadow of doubt that Bashar is indeed a popular dictator within Syria had it not been for outside meddling designed specifically to tarnish his image in an blatant attempt to turn Syria into another Libya and invade it by the Western imperialists.
For that reason, she said, foreign journalists will be expelled from Syria because of either one of two possible reasons. They behave unprofessionally by reporting superficially without the proper references to who is behind the disturbances and often ignoring non-Syrian origins, thus misleading the audience. And secondly they most often act as forward spies for the armies planning the invasion.
For these reasons, she said, Bashar today decreed the release of 261 die-hard so-called ‘Islamists’ in order to prove to outsiders that Bashar is a courageous dictator who does not fear opposing points of view and time will only tell and disprove the pessimists. He thus once again proved to have the foresight (having been formally trained as a ‘visionary’ Doctor by his late father who also ‘blessed’ the homeland by attaching his most ‘honourable’ name to its name) defeated the plots of the imperialists and their Zionist offspring entity, and protected Syria (al-Assad) and its people from the looming doom of being enslaved by the forces of tyranny descending upon them from abroad.
Posted by anonymous | March 26, 2011, 6:21 pmI sure hope that the Arab Spring turns out to be a glorious display of new life. But I am afraid that reality will rear its ugly head. What is most likely is for the new buds to be hit by a biting frost that will prevent any meaningful bloom including Egypt.
How can it be otherwise when the so called revolutionaries manage to take time out to pray multiple times a day. Mind you, I have nothing against individual piety, but when it becomes a group behaviour then I know that such movements are not tolerant and accepting of others. Is it enough to topple a dictator and replace authoritarianism with an equally undemocratic group? The answer might surprise some but it sure is in the affirmative. When revolutions atart they usually do so because the masses cannot take the abuse anymore. Usually these same masses have not taken the time to articulate what they want, it is enough to knoiw what they do not want. Revolutions end up being a process of discovery but the first step is to topple the tyrants. Once that is done mistakes will be committed and excess will take place but once the dust settles then the new regime is less authoritarian, more responsive and more democratic. To many that is not enough but history has taught us that most of the early buds just do not make it. Frost gets most of them. Yet the few that survive blossom and fill the air with anticipation of the coming spring.
Posted by Ghassan Karam | March 26, 2011, 8:28 pmIntruder Alert!!!
Qifa,
Comment 85 appearing under my moniker is NOT AUTHENTIC, i.e. it is not MY COMMENT.
I am the only ‘anonymous’ around here. It seems that an outsider with links to imperialist, Zionist, neocon, HA, mullah or other forces of international tyranny is seeking to misinform the public. I urgently ask Buthaina Sha’aban to intervene and conduct a thorough investigation or else bring al-Sharaa out in front of everyone to see him in good health, dispel the rumours and once again defeat imperialism.
Posted by anonymous | March 26, 2011, 8:49 pmAnonymous
Thanks for the alert. I’ve changed that Anonymous to Anonymous #3.
But here’s an idea: why not change your own moniker to something a little more, shall we say, distinctive? You’re now a regular, after all.
Posted by Qifa Nabki | March 26, 2011, 8:51 pmGK #101. Your concern is well noted, but the biggest change has already happened in Tunisia and Egypt and elsewhere: namely, a population of zombie sheep has been transformed into an activist and rowdy bunch that speaks its mind and isn’t afraid of authority. The current military junta in Egypt has so far been unable to restore that fear and it only gets harder with time. The process has its ups and downs, and there will be set backs, but the people having gotten used to freedom, will not easily give it away.
As for Syria, I’d love to see her join Egypt and Tunisia. First, its what is best for Syria. Second, because it only strengthens the other revolutions. And third, because it leads us closer to the ultimate revolution: Saudi Arabia.
Posted by Lysander | March 26, 2011, 9:08 pmAll these ‘foreigners’ and ‘non-Syrian’ hooligans drove to Latakia fully armed today and under the eyes of the Assad mukhabarat,
OK, Qifa, I’ll think of another monikor soon and change. Thanks.
Posted by anonymous | March 27, 2011, 4:40 amanonymous, here’s a suggestion: if you think of a French phrase for anonymous (not word-for-word) then “l’auteur sans nom” comes to mind (the author without a name). So, to make it into a moniker, how about the following options:
lauteursansnom
sansnom
unnamed
noname
incognito
guesswho
whoami
udontknow
udontno
udunno
noneofur
imnottelling
anonyme
bila-ism
good luck
Posted by Honest Patriot | March 27, 2011, 5:04 amI originally felt intuitively that the existence of the State of Israel makes sense within the world, if only as an attempt to rectify the failures of the West in WWII… Unfortunately, this seems more and more a mirage… The ugliness, hatred, wholesale assassinations via the machinations of the infamous White House Murder INC. in the Levant, wars of aggression, injustice, disregard for international law, corruption and mafiosi tactics on a global scale, land theft on a grand scale and racism that I more and more associate with the Israeli state and populace is an embarrassment to human feeling… I am a student of history and religion, and I am keenly appreciative of the mystical experiences found within and outside of religious traditions. It is always so sad to see the belief in an us-them reality internalized so deeply as to excuse the absolute dehumanization of another group of people…. Human history teaches us that when this projection is intertwined with religious sanction, tragedy and wholesale killing are all too often the result…
Posted by HK | March 27, 2011, 6:24 amAnti and Pro-Assad demonstrations in Beirut today.
Pro-Assad demonstrators beaten up.
Posted by R2D2 | March 27, 2011, 7:27 amThe limit of brutality and violence, lies and perversion Bashar Assad is capable of, is limitless… He’s about to circle that troublesome kosher wagon ….
The problems facing Syria are so vast, that any political makeover of substance could well cover the cracks and fissures… Obama ignored Syria on his various ME trips… Syria is part of a unique club, chaired by the odious White House Murder INC. Now that Kaddafi bankers are slugging it out with Western investigators, Syria and its Alawite Mafia of assassins have no choice but to crawl through all alleyways hat in hand as true beggars that the government of the moment has shown repeatedly… Syria, is a disgrace, a country that has backslided with the most corrupt political leadership, intelligence creeps from the West, Israel and the East, renditions, torture, captains of industry, crooked bankers and lawmakers…. The regime is still living in a fantasy world, while the police and security services are massacring tens of people all over the country, Assad and his Baath party were staging in streets all over the country… in celebrations for the announcement of Assad’s possible ending of emergency law and other despicable lies…. the regime has lost its legitimacy long ago….. The ending of Assad’s dynasty is going to be as brutal as anybody can imagine, but the Syrian people this time are saying lets go for it….. it’s the inevitable price for our dignity, freedom and democracy…. I have never heard people on the streets in Syria talking so openly and so hostile to the regime… 42 years of absolutely doing nothing at all to the people of Syria is enough…. Who will defend Syrians? How many must be murdered by Assad’s regime before action is taken?
Inflation at its worst….Unemployment of the young, well over 40 percent, cutting the budget is not the answer, investing in industry, creating jobs and education will help the economy. I wonder the cost of the gargantuan security services in Syria….
Rigid and repressive dictatorships will fall, sooner or later. You can’t put a lid on human beings…. It becomes a pressure cooker, and now we see explosions all over the region… The other alternative is represented in the region by Lebanon – an elastic, strong and resilient democracy. It is an organic system, where people constantly exercise their rights – to argue, to complain, to criticize, to live and breathe… Hence, there is no need for a revolution in Lebanon. Here, it is evolution into a non-feudal, non-sectarian Democracy that will do the trick…. The events in the region are dangerous, but also a stamp of praise and approval of the democratic system in Lebanon. It works. Let the Arabs enjoy the same thing. Once the populace lose their ingrained fear of dictatorships and begin the bloody battles, that first taste of freedom grows into a tsunami, as seen recently and written in various history books. Good luck to the freedom loving people of Syria….
Posted by HK | March 27, 2011, 9:37 amhttp://www.voanews.com/english/news/middle-east/israel-and-palestinians/Israeli-Airstrike-Kills-2-Gaza-Militants-118732964.html
Is there consensus on who started this latest salvo of violence exchange between Israel and Hamas?
Posted by Honest Patriot | March 27, 2011, 9:40 amAccording to
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2011-03/27/c_13800300.htm
“Early last week, the Hamas fired a barrage of mortars and missiles towards Israel, ending the shaky lull since the end of Israel’s three-week offensive against Gaza from December 2008 to January 2009.” (sic)
Posted by Honest Patriot | March 27, 2011, 9:43 amThe pro-Assad demonstrators in Beirut have been paid $20 to hold those Assad Jr. & Sr. Posters and Flags and make some noise.
Why, what for and by whom … hum?
The first one to make a public statement on Syria is March 8’s dignified spokesperson:
http://www.iloubnan.info/politics/actualite/id/58808
Posted by R2D2 | March 27, 2011, 10:16 amthis latest salvo of violence exchange between Israel, Hamas and whoever detonated the bomb in Jerusalem is meant solely and exclusively to derail the rapprochement/entente between Fatah and Hamas…and the so-called reconciliation which was well underway…
Posted by HK | March 27, 2011, 10:21 amR2D2, I seem to be carrier of rumors lately… so here goes a question:
Rumors are circulating that HA is sending agents and forces to bolster Assad’s regime, sort of like the Iranian basjids. Any truth to this, to your knowledge, since you’re on the ground in Lebanon?
Posted by Honest Patriot | March 27, 2011, 10:24 amHK, yes, but who started it?
Posted by Honest Patriot | March 27, 2011, 10:24 amHP, you’re not going to like what i have to say….but, all evidence points to Hamas having been created by MOSSAD in the first place…in order to weaken/divide and conquer the PLO…Hence Hamas is still being “influenced” and nudged…. by MOSSAD…especially given the premise of a global deal being worked out with the MBs in the area…by the West and Israel…. I would say that HAMAS is the one who started the Whole Charade…..
Posted by HK | March 27, 2011, 10:55 amHP, Assad’s assassins and various security services have more than enough thugs…it’s their best export…they don’t need any Basij or Hezbollah help…they can flood the Whole ME with thugs….these rumors are part and parcel of PsyOps….
Posted by HK | March 27, 2011, 11:02 amThe “fruits” of the Infamous White House Murder Machinations INC,….are visible to the trained eye….
Listen to this Gem from Billary….
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the U.S. won’t enter into the internal conflict in Syria the way it has in Libya.“No,” Clinton said, when asked on the CBS “Face the Nation” program if the U.S. would intervene in Syria’s unrest…Clinton said the elements that led to international intervention in Libya — international condemnation, an Arab League call for action, a United Nations Security Council Resolution — are “not going to happen” with Syria, in part because members of the U.S. Congress from both parties say they believe Assad is “a reformer.”…and a prime mover and shaker in the Odious White House Murder INC, in the Levant…since January 24th 2002…until Feb. 12th 2008…and counting…
“Each of these situations is unique,” Clinton said, referring to the Middle Eastern countries dealing with change and unrest, a list that now includes Yemen, Jordan, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Syria, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia….”
Posted by HK | March 27, 2011, 11:12 amHK,
Did you expect anything else from Clinton regarding Syria? I mean their policy is based on Israel’s wishes! Assad a reformist right? Do you ever wonder why the interviewer didn’t ask her to tell us about the reforms that Assad has introduced? Or why were innocent human rights activists in jails? Unfortunately as far as USA is concerned Israel trumps all Arab blood!
Posted by danny | March 27, 2011, 11:26 amAbsolutely…., But do not underestimate the “Dividends” from services rendered to the most Infamous White House Murder INC, by Asef Shawkat….
When the regime in Syria faces the challenges that it faces today, you can pretty much assume that Bashar Assad becomes a figure head again…; that the Alawite military/intelligence elite of brutal assassins take over….The brutality of the regime is digging a bigger hole for itself….and I do not exclude a “Palace Coup D’état” by the barbarian/assassin and thug in Chief…Asef Shawkat, the Devil himself….and the husband of the devious Bushra Assad ….the inevitable cracks in the Regime will surface soon enough….
Posted by HK | March 27, 2011, 11:36 amHP #114
Highly unlikely. Neither does Bashar need them and nor would it be in his interest to have an armed Shi’ite presence at these demonstrations . He’s no Qaddafi.
If at all, some emboldened Sunni Lebanese brothers might be there on the ground stirring up more trouble, but I doubt that too.
You need to keep in mind that Bashar has a lot of enemies that would try to take advantage of the situation.
Posted by R2D2 | March 27, 2011, 11:36 amKidnapping of 7 Estonian cyclers?
Church Bombing in Zahle?
Is this the birth of Hizbel3ulmani 🙂 ?
Posted by R2D2 | March 27, 2011, 12:01 pmIs there consensus on who started this latest salvo of violence exchange between Israel and Hamas?
HP,
Why, does it matter?
danny,
All I can say, the ME is lucky Clinton is Secretary of State and part of a left-of-center administration. If it was Condi Rice or John Bolton, things would heat up to a much higher temperature.
Posted by Akbar Palace | March 27, 2011, 12:29 pmAP #123
You brought back memories …
What comes to mind is a caricature of G.W. wearing a cowboy outfit firing both six shooters at once 🙂
I don’t miss Condi, Rumsfeld and Cheney with their studded Doberman collars.
Posted by R2D2 | March 27, 2011, 12:53 pmI remember watching an ad for H. Clinton during the Presidential race in which she portrayed herself as the best qualified to answer a call at 3:00 AM in the morning concerning matters of foreign policy, by virtue of her being a mate of an ‘unfaithful’ Bill Clinton. She was comparing herself and her so-called experience in dealing with foreign governments to a clueless Obama at the time.
I believe that she was right about Obama. He was and still is clueless indeed. I just hope no one bothered her today with an early morning call when she described Assad as a ‘reformer’. Her silence instead of uttering a term of condoning a certified criminal would have been of such high virtue that she unfortunately missed to acquire. This is one of the rare cases where keeping your mouth shut is worth gold rather than speaking even if words were made of silver.
I hope that Ghassan and others will now spare us their vindictive and often racist remarks of the term ‘imbeciles’ when they want to vent their anger in referring to the Arabs by such terms. The term now seems to be a perfect fit for the American administration all the way from the top down.
And another question now poses itself to the same ‘elitists’ on this blog. Assume Libya did not have oil, would the US or other NATO countries have really bothered? The same question goes to Iraq, I would say. And look what monster they produced.
Posted by anonymous | March 27, 2011, 12:55 pmanon,
Posted by R2D2 | March 27, 2011, 1:05 pmOh come on … admit it!
That Badass Libyan revolutionary made you laugh … LOL
Posted by R2D2 | March 27, 2011, 1:52 pm123 AP,
I know you do not give a rat’s ass to what happens to the Syrian people and are only concerned about Israel. Good for you. I do not see a humanist in you. If you think Clinton’s stance enhances freedom…then you have ways to go to make Israel safe. You cannot pick and chose which people “deserve: freedom.
Posted by danny | March 27, 2011, 2:02 pmAnon,
I only wish that you would be more accurate in describing the events that you are addressing prior to launching a verbal attack in support of a group or idea.
From all the reports that I have seen , including the 60 minutes coverage, Hillary Clinton did NOT once use the term “reformer” that you attribute to her. Actually she was firm in denouncing the use of force but spoke honestly about the fact that as of this moment straffing, and full use of the military has not been applied and so neither the world nor the Arab countries have expressed deep concern about civilian casualties yet.
And this argument about oil is becoming stale. Was there oil in Serbia? What about Kosovv? And what exactly does it mean when a country has a natural resource? Was Iraqi oil stolen or given to US conglomerates? What about Libyan oil? Speculation is that half of it will end up going to China.
I hope that it is not asking for much to suggest that opinions that are to be based on facts attempt to verify these facts otherwise fiction and non fiction will overlap and become one.
Posted by Ghassan Karam | March 27, 2011, 2:03 pmFor those who have jumped on the one sentence, out of context, that seems to be circulating in the Lebanese press the following is the CBS link to the Face The Nation appearance by Hillary Clinton. (Sorry anon for having said 60 minutes in the above post)
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/03/27/ftn/main20047627.shtml
Posted by Ghassan Karam | March 27, 2011, 2:10 pmGus,
You are wrong regarding Clinton. See the link below.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/03/27/ftn/main20047627.shtml
She is a hypocrite and a liar. As I already stated above; it does not bode well for Israel to have a regime change in Syria…so she attributes the deaths to over reaction or abuse of police powers. That’s F’n ridiculous.
Posted by danny | March 27, 2011, 2:15 pm“If it was Condi Rice or John Bolton, things would heat up to a much higher temperature.”
Bolton?? He was on Fox news a couple of months back advocating US military intervention in Egypt(?!?) in order to SUPPORT Mubarak. Even Bush wised up after a while and stopped listening to those clowns.
Posted by Lysander | March 27, 2011, 2:26 pmIt should be noted that whatever the US Administration is saying or doing these days has no serious effect on what is happening in the Arab world. the spontaneous movements we are witnessing are not planned in the situation rooms in DC or elsewhere and if we revisit what happened in Egypt we can see that the US was playing catch up and not a leading role. Let’s hope the same thing will happen in Syria and the Syrian youth will have the courage and will to overthrow the Assad regime however and no matter how long it takes. We can also rest assured if Assad plays it smart and introduces true reform as hopped by some it will only lead to the end of his regime.
Posted by V | March 27, 2011, 2:45 pm“There is a different leader in Syria now, many of the members of Congress of both parties who have gone to Syria in recent months have said they believe he’s a reformer,” Clinton said.
Ok Gus. As we both posted same links please advise why you think she did not infer that the Butcher of Damas i NOT a reformer?
Posted by danny | March 27, 2011, 2:52 pmWell Ghassan, it seems she DID use the term ‘reformer’ in a manner in which she approves it being ascribed to US members of congress which makes matters even worse.
No, the oil argument is not stale. Kososvo and Serbia are located in Europe and directly threatened Western interests. Reports of Iranian and even al-Qaida infiltrations were becoming evident. An ‘Islamic’ victory in the midst of Europe would spell doom to the West. Turkey’s position would become in jeopardy. So, there was no other choice.
So, again I hope you will see that the so-called West is really morally bankrupt and cannot lecture Arab governments or its people on such issue. The reason for such bankruptcy is clear and Danny spelled out accurately.
The irony behind this is that change is inevitable. But when it happens blame not the Arabs when they turn anti-Western and seek to eliminate any Western presence or interests in their countries once they cleanse it of the despots who are clearly the tools of America.
So instead of being an agent in bringing a rational transformation into the region, America and its allies are simply sowing the seeds for additional anti Western flames of ‘hatred’ and are putting the final nail into their coffins and perhaps into the coffin of the entity they have become enslaved blindly to its wishes.
Now here is another question for you: what H. Clinton prides herself most besides her ‘impeccable’ foreign policy experience imparted into her by her mate?
Answer: she and her kids are proud speakers of Yiddish. Wow. Why don’t she and her kids immigrate?
So, give me a break and please take your NATO and US morality argument completely out of this discourse.
Posted by anonymous | March 27, 2011, 2:59 pmLet me be the first to admit that I did miss that line about some members of Congress consider the President to be a reformer. But that does not change her statement that much. Once the interview is read in toto then I would still argue that her answers were calculated but not weak. She did make it clear that if the same set of circumstances that occured in Libya are to present themselves again then probably the same response can be expected.
BTW, Senator Lieberman, who had visited Syria recently did say on Fox that if the Syrian authorities are to crack down with armed force against the demonstrators then he would recommend the use of force just as in Libya.
It would be unrealistic to expect a uniform application of a global governance system when such a system does not exist yet. Actually many people all around the world are opposed to the emergence of a strong global system of governance. I have always favoured such a system especially that in my view the idea of the nation-state has outlived its usefulness.
I still maintain that it was the UNSC on Libya that has led to the demonstrations in Syria and has encouraged those in Yemen and even Bahrain.
As the add says: you pay me know or you pay me later. The Arab regimes, all of them and that includes Lebanon, will have to undergo radical major change. The longer it is delayed then the greater is the price.
Posted by Ghassan Karam | March 27, 2011, 3:00 pmWow..
It looks like Danny and I are in race to saying the same things. I just posted my last comment and noticed danny’s new comment.
Why are you spying on my thoughts Danny?!
(Or am I spying on yours?)
Posted by anonymous | March 27, 2011, 3:02 pmDanny,
Biden said early on that Mubarak is not a dictator. What they say really does not matter. What Israel says or does also does not matter. It is all about what Syrians do. This is not about Israel and our interests. I am sure in Israel we would like very much to know who will replace Assad if he leaves, but hey, that is only to be expected.
The US will just sit back and not commit to any side in the Syrian revolution (unless there is a massacre or threat of massacre).
Posted by AIG | March 27, 2011, 3:05 pmOfcourse nothing beats the morality of al khalifa al Saudi and al Sabah
Posted by V | March 27, 2011, 3:12 pmGhassan,
You totally missed the argument.
Using the word reformer is completely out of place and takes the criminal off the hook the moment you utter such word or approve of it.
This is a clear signal to the dictator that the administration is behind him. It is also a clear signal to those Syrians who oppose him that the US is not neutral. It is also utterly distasteful as it disregards those who just died courageously facing his thugs.
No matter how she calcualted it was a miscalculation. If she had said all the other stuff and did not utter the reformer bit she would have passed the test.
I prefer that the Arab people not look to Clinton or any other Western government or leader for guidance. They should rise on their own based on their own aspirations and will to achieve what they want to achieve. My argument, here, if the US and its allies cannot lead or help then better they keep silent and in the end it will serve them and the Arabs best.
Do you wonder why China and Russia are gaining at teh expense of America throughout teh region? They do nothing. They just keep silent.
There will be no world goevrnment. Forget it. This will be a disaster. But definitely America and the West are losing the battle
Posted by anonymous | March 27, 2011, 3:15 pmAnd anonymous said King Abdullah bin Saud is not a dictator too 🙂
Posted by V | March 27, 2011, 3:15 pmV, AIG, GK,
Good posts.
AIG, your right. American politicians get caught up on so many news shows, etc, they are always hounded about what they said yesterday, the day before, etc. Half of all the air-time is spent trying to catch a politician contradicting herself/himself.
What we find, is that the difference between democrats and republicans is insignificant and that actions speak louder than words. Obama is conducting “regime change” and the republicans want to know the mission.
If that was ever an ironic “reversal”, I don’t know what is.
I know you do not give a rat’s ass to what happens to the Syrian people and are only concerned about Israel. I do not see a humanist in you.
danny,
How do you know this? Was it something I said? Post a link. Show me my horrible ways.
As I’ve said many times, democracy is a WIN-WIN for both Jew and Arab in the ME.
He was on Fox news a couple of months back advocating US military intervention in Egypt(?!?) in order to SUPPORT Mubarak.
Lysander,
Please post a link showing Bolton was “advocating US military intervention in Egypt”. I could be wrong, but I think Bolton was only expressing skepticism about the future of Egypt and a possible takeover of Egypt by Islamists or the MB.
If John Bolton runs for president; he already has my vote.
Posted by Akbar Palace | March 27, 2011, 3:27 pmNever discount or underestimate the “Dividends” from services rendered to the most Infamous White House Murder INC, by Asef Shawkat….between January 24th 2002 and Feb 12th 2008…and counting!!!
Reformers my ass….how low can you get?
When the regime in Syria faces the challenges that it faces today, you can pretty much assume that Bashar Assad becomes a figure head again…; that the Alawite military/intelligence elite of brutal assassins take over….The brutality of the regime is digging a bigger hole for itself….and I do not exclude a “Palace Coup D’état” by the barbarian/assassin and thug in Chief…Asef Shawkat, the Devil himself….and the husband of the devious Bushra Assad ….the inevitable cracks in the Regime will surface soon enough….
Posted by HK | March 27, 2011, 3:32 pmIt looks that all of a sudden the United Nations should have allowed Qaddafi to slaughter the Libyan opposition and that the support that the UN has given to the STL is really a conspiracy against Hezbollah. Can we make up our mind which is it or are we to paint with a broad brush principles be damned.
Posted by Ghassan Karam | March 27, 2011, 3:33 pmMembers of the U.S. Congress from both parties, and CIA/MOSSAD, the Siamese Twins… say they believe Bashar Assad is “a reformer.”… TFEH, Tfeh, Tfeh
Posted by HK | March 27, 2011, 3:40 pmHezbollah has to be nervous they have the most to lose if the Syrian regime falls or if it is forced to reform. SHN is weakening the resistance by playing into gulf states hands by commenting on revolutions in Bahrain etc, the dictatorships are looking for any scapegoat they can and I do not care about his geopolitical opinions, and I hope SHN will stick to what his group knows best in the future.
I was surprised to walk into the Syrian Pro Bashar rally in Hamra at about noon there were about a good 1000 protesters screaming “allah, soorieeaa, bashar wa bas” a lot more than the AFP and now lebanon estimates of 150 to a couple hundred people. I wish I could have taken some pictures but I think I’m the only person in Lebanon without a camera phone.
Later on in the day I was dropping off my sisters at Beirut souks and was stuck in traffic behind a few hundred protestors jogging/briskly walking through the streets of solidiere with a police escort in front of their rally, when I caught up with them later on the group was on their way to hamra. What is interesting though is that I saw a kia jeep with syrian plates with 3 men in suits/sunglasses doors windows open one guy appeared to be running back from the direction of the rally (he had a syrian flag pin on his blazer, maybe an embassy official?) they were clearly following the Syrian protestors, and I guess it wouldn’t be far fetched to suggest that Syrian regime was directly responsible for organizing the rally’s across Lebanon today.
Posted by tamer k. | March 27, 2011, 3:48 pmIf I was Bellemere and my “secret” indictment actually held people from the syrian regime culpable for the murder of RH, I’d want it to be released right about now. just sayin’
Posted by tamer k. | March 27, 2011, 3:51 pmGhassan,
The UN took a decision regarding Libya and I think they were correct. However, I am sure there were discussions re: precedent setting. Nobody is exonerating any brutal regime…except H. Clinton when she says…again:”“There is a different leader in Syria now, many of the members of Congress of both parties who have gone to Syria in recent months have said they believe he’s a reformer,” Clinton said.
Please let me know where on earth does or did Mrs. Clinton live? A DIFFERENT LEADER IN SYRIA NOW? Did she think Bashar just got his crown? Come on Gus…you must admit the hypocrisy is dripping in clear view!!
Posted by danny | March 27, 2011, 4:04 pmIs Bashar being offered a deal by Saudi Arabia? HA/Iran in return for his regime? looks like there is a deal being worked out.
أمير الكويت يعرب عن دعمه لسورية في وجه ‘محاولات زعزعة استقرارها’
Posted by V | March 27, 2011, 4:28 pmDanny,
I have never been a fan of Hillary. There is nothing personal about these discussions. They ought to be on the merit.
I understand the concern about these few words but I am suggesting that this is notthe gist of what she said in the interview. The rest of the interview was strongly worded. It would be a mistake to colour the whole interview by that one line when she made it abundantly clear that given the same environment then one can expect the same reaction.
I think that had she said that “We are considering a NFZ” over Syria then there would have been a global cry of disapproval. These are not the same conditions that existed in Libya.
It is terribly unfortunate that so many have lost their lives in Syria but if that is to be the measure then the UN should have been in Bahrain a long time ago. If on the other hand you expect the UN to topple all dictators in the world then a good place to start is every single Arab country then many in Africa and Asia including China and Russia.
I am proposing that if one is to concentrate on the word “reformer” which is attributed to other Congressmen instead of the denounciation of the use of power etc.. is to misrepresent the facts. Could she have made a less controversial statement? Sure she could but what she declared about being a “reformer” is more than trumped by the rest of the interview. Anyway , this is done and i do not see any damage from it.
Posted by Ghassan Karam | March 27, 2011, 4:40 pmGhassan,
Duplicity is the key term here. And this has been going on for more than a century, but its terms of usefulness are coming to an end and soon.
Do no think for a moment that the people forgot what Obama said in Cairo three years ago. He delivered on none.
We are still waiting for the STL to produce its case. Until then we cannot judge. It is about time they release their indictments. Whether they can achieve the sought-after justice is a completely different issue.
The UN has failed the Palestinians on each and every resolution with the veto power of the US.
So, I go back to my previous conclusion: Damn the UN and the West. Let the Arabs rise on their own and by their own will to achieve what they want to achieve. If they want to pray five times in public that is also their prerogrative. After all they have been doing it for millenia without anyone complaining about it. It seems that for some reason it endured the test of time, and I may even add it fits the aspirations of the Arabs much better than a UN crippled by the blind and hijacked interests of a so-called ‘leader’ of the world.
Posted by anonymous | March 27, 2011, 4:42 pmtamer k. #147,
The Kuwaiti newspaper Al Rai claims that Syria has already made some suggestions to that effect. Syria will cooperate with the STL provided… Many , myself included, do not think much of the AlRai but I thought that it was interested that you mentioned essentially the same idea.
Posted by Ghassan Karam | March 27, 2011, 4:44 pmanon,
So you were bothered by my reference to group prayer a few days ago?
used that as an illustration that the Arab spring will disappoint many especially those whose expectations are for an immediate transformation of these societies. That is not very likely to happen. The significance of the prayer in the context of my remarks is that a group of people that is intent on demonstrating its piety is more likely than not to abridge my rights since I am different. I refuse to pray or even to take seriously the religious narratives about God, creation, her prophets, sons etc…
A society that is not inclusive cannot be democratic. It is that simple. Would the Arab countries be better off after these experiences? Most probably, but I will be surprised if a real diverse and democratic Arab state emerges anytime soon.
Posted by Ghassan Karam | March 27, 2011, 5:13 pmNo Ghassan, please don’t reduce the argument to what you said few days ago. That remark was just a reaction to the recent news.
But having brought that up, I will address it and show you that that remark of yours was very misguided and short-sighted.
Arab transformation will never happen if one of its conditions is to abrogate what is considered by the Arabs at large the soul of Arabs. The requirements for public prayers is THE LAW OF THE LAND. Zein el-Abdin Bin Ali was deposed because he tried to mess around with this LAW – ask any Tunisian and satisfy yourself as I am satisfied. Ataturk’s so-called secularism failed because it tried to mess around with this law. If Mubarak survived for thirty years it is because he understood enough not to mess around with it. If the Assads succeeded in ruling Syria for forty years it is because they were smart enough not to mess around with it. So let’s be clear on this. Any change that will happen will never succeed by challenging this LAW: Neither the UN nor the US nor any other power under the sun.
If you want to define your individual rights based on such abrogation then there is a problem in the definition of your individual rights not the other way around. If democracy is in conflict with this LAW then democracy is at fault and in this case thank you very much we do not want it and we do not need it.
If you can operate within these parameters then there is room for discussion. Otherwise, forget it altogether
And again in this case my conclusion remains valid: the Arabs should rise based on their own aspirations and by their own will. And believe me it will happen with or without your support or the US or the UN.
Posted by anonymous | March 27, 2011, 5:48 pmanon, irrespective of agreeing or not with you, the style and logic are compelling. Are you also an academic?
Posted by Honest Patriot | March 27, 2011, 6:32 pmdanny.
You (and many others who should know better) are reacting to Hillary’s “reformer” statement as if it’s her opinion instead of a deflection. She’s actually putting the onus on unnamed congressmen. Given the recent bipartisan brouhaha about the administration not consulting w/ that august body and Hillary’s firsthand understanding of the machinations on the Hill, she’s most likely doing a bit of payback and challenging them at the same time; as in put your money were your mouth(s) are.
Hillary’s other laundry list of conditions met in order to precipitate action on Libya are a part and parcel of effort to cool the jets of those who would love to see Assad et al removed, consequences and unanticipated results be damned.
At this time.
There’s so much fluidity & uncertainty in current regional situation that precludes more overt US action at present. And, anyone who posits that Israeli opinion isn’t taken into account is blinded by the smoke he blows.
Looking at the bigger picture, this report that AQ has absconded with Qadaffi’s missiles must be setting off alarms all over the damn place:
“PARIS – al-Qaeda’s offshoot in North Africa has snatched surface-to-air missiles from an arsenal in Libya during the civil strife there, Chad’s president said in an interview to be published March 28.
Idriss Deby Itno did not say how many were stolen, but told the African weekly Jeune Afrique that he was “100 percent sure” of his assertion.
“The Islamists of al-Qaida took advantage of the pillaging of arsenals in the rebel zone to acquire arms, including surface-to-air missiles, which were then smuggled into their sanctuaries in Tenere,” a desert region of the Sahara that stretches from northeast Niger to western Chad, Deby said in the interview.
“This is very serious. AQIM (al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb) is becoming a genuine army, the best equipped in the region,” he said.”
http://www.imra.org.il/story.php3?id=51569
Whatever the calculations made, rest assured that those making them are quite aware that the entities on the enemies list ie Iran, Hamas, HA , Assad, Islamic Jihad all have return addresses.
The same cannot be said of AQ.
Posted by lally | March 27, 2011, 6:51 pmThanks HP for your very candid remark.
As for my credentials, I am not in the academic field even though I had an offer(s) to be in it sometime ago. It may go without saying that I should have academic achievements that would be considered above average to get those offers.
Posted by anonymous | March 27, 2011, 7:10 pmI feel an angry post coming…
The requirements for public prayers is THE LAW OF THE LAND.
anonymous,
What if we just start with freedom of speech?
It seems so many people are concerned about the Palestinian’s welfare in Israel, yet we can’t seem to get Arabs in Arab countries to say what they think.
What do you think is more important, the Palestinians welfare in Israel or freedom of speech in Arab countries?
Posted by Akbar Palace | March 27, 2011, 7:54 pmAP,
You’re contradicting yourself.
I am saying the Arabs should rise on their own and achieve their goals with their own will. In this case the US and others would serve their own interests better by keeping their mouths shut, exactly as the Chinese and the Russians are doing. Further meddling in Arab affairs by the US would only discredit it and its allies in the region, producing undesirable consequences, and I may even add eventually stamping out any US presence, interests or influence in the region.
The US under the current administration simply doesn’t have the vision and/or will to act as a positive agent of change
Likewise, it goes without saying to the Palestinians. They are overdue for achieving their goals of sovereignty and independence. The first thing the Palestinians would express in a free speech environment is their disgust and disdain for the occupation they are under, and an unmistakeable sign of a desire for independence.
Posted by anonymous | March 27, 2011, 8:25 pmlally;
We can have different interpretations of Clinton’s remarks. Considering that she is an astute politician and the person in charge of dictating/relaying the foreign policy of USA…she will NOT make any remarks without achieving certain goals.
The remarks were more aimed at Bashar; signaling him the administration’s willingness to recruit congressmen/women from both sides of the isle to support Mr. Butcher’s “reforms”. Off course Kerry & Pelosi should be looked upon as amazing ambassadors on the clueless side!
Her signal to the Syrian people is that to go back home and that they will not support punishing Bashar…Are you kidding me? she wants the support of the Arab League? Really? the support of the Tyrants who are toppling one by one?
Lally…Clinton is a hypocrite and a liar! Nothing less.Off course Obama is the most clueless US lawmaker ever on earth.
Posted by danny | March 27, 2011, 8:39 pmanon,
It seems that you have a proclivity to personalizing exchanges, a style that I don’t care much about. Please do me the favour of never reading what I post and never responding to it. If you do, which is your prerogative then do not expect an answer. Have a good day/night wherever you are.
Posted by Ghassan Karam | March 27, 2011, 9:22 pmYou could do likewise Mr. GK.
But you cannot prevent me from reading the entertaining childishness of your comments (be careful here as I am describing the comments as childish and not you personally). It looks like now the score has finally been settled as to who the real “ignoramus” is and perhaps even harbouring blind bigotry against a culture, while exhibiting false pretenses of a desire to transform that culture of which he clearly has superficial knowledge.
Thank you from all the Arabs. But they say they are in no need to any of your concerns. They would continue to pray in public five times a day as it has been the custom and LAW OF THE LAND.
Posted by anonymous | March 27, 2011, 10:00 pmDay of [American Jewish] Rage q:op
I am saying the Arabs should rise on their own and achieve their goals with their own will.
anonymous,
I think that’s “swell”. That would be a huge improvement for them.
Further meddling in Arab affairs by the US would only discredit it and its allies in the region, producing undesirable consequences, and I may even add eventually stamping out any US presence, interests or influence in the region.
Maybe this is a contradiction on your part. The Arab League asked for American and NATO support to help depose another in a long list of Arab tyrants. Of course, the “big mouths” in the Arab League couldn’t handle the ousting of Gad-fly themselves, so here again, the American policeman to the rescue.
My opinion: Obama made the right choice, albeit, a little late for my taste.
The US under the current administration simply doesn’t have the vision and/or will to act as a positive agent of change.
Methinks this statement is ripe with “sour grapes”. The nice quiet Chinese and Russians have done nothing to help the ME, and really, only the US has the influence. The US has bailed out the Kuwaitis, the Israelis, the Lebanese, the Libyans, the Iraqis and the Afghanis.
The US has supplied “vision” and “positive change” in the ME “up the wazoo”, whether you agree or not.
If the US was smart, she’d charge every Arab country a fee for kicking out the “despot du jour”.
Posted by Akbar Palace | March 27, 2011, 10:47 pmtamer k
Your eyewitness report speaks louder than … photos. Thank you for it.
But get a camera phone. It’s the antidote to a gun.
Posted by R2D2 | March 27, 2011, 10:52 pmanon,
“law of the land”…. very zealously charged words…
you could pray 100 times a day that’s your provocative if you choose to but still doesn’t make it “law of the land”. for someone who claims higher academic achievements should at least differentiate between the concept of “law” and individual rights!
Posted by MLK | March 27, 2011, 11:18 pmMLK,
Perhaps you are not following on the initial thread which was started by a childish comment by someone who presents himself as an apparent agent for change few days ago. The exchange only resurfaced as a reflection on current events.
I understand clearly the difference between individual rights and Laws. I would not need exhortations from anyone to make the distinction to that end. If you doubt that what I said is indeed the law of the land in the countries we’re dealing with, then you’re welcome to challenge it and propose its abolishion if you can in any forum you choose: UN, US, EU, East or West. You do not need to talk to me for that purpose. That should satisfy you for now I believe.
On the main subject, The most appropriate answer to Mrs. Clinton’s interview came from nowhere else but Homs, Syria today,
We’re also promised additional protests, and of course time will tell.
Posted by anonymous | March 27, 2011, 11:39 pmI find using this forum to settle apparent “personal scores” unsettling.
Why don’t you take ten steps away from each other, turn around and aim at each other the nobler way?
Posted by R2D2 | March 27, 2011, 11:55 pmThe question du jour should be:
Why hasn’t Bashar, the pussycat, given a speech yet?
** It’s been a week, baby! **
Posted by R2D2 | March 28, 2011, 12:09 amThe hooded grand priest strikes again from his high horse and with his arrogant demeanor dictating to us all what the “Law of the Land is” lets burn the Shi’a the Jews and the rest of the Kuffar. This land should be purified and ruled by its Sunni Wahhabi owners.
Posted by V | March 28, 2011, 1:10 amWhy hasn’t Bashar Assad, the pussycat, given a speech yet?
** It’s been a week, baby! **
Because he is a pussycat, a figure head, a fig leaf and a puppet. His only claim to fame are the barbaric assassinations between January 24th 2002 and Feb. 12th 2008, through the odious White House Murder INC,… together with Asef Shawkat’s goons.
Hence, Hilary Clinton, John Kerry, Arlen Specter, Netanyahou, Sarkozy and the stupid Europeans will offer an umbrella of protection to this criminal gang in Damascus. Pathetic hypocrites rule the day, and CIA/MOSSAD/MI6/DGSE/BND/GIDs are their favorite tools of oppression, and extra-judicial cowardly assassinations in the Levant and the World over.
Posted by HK | March 28, 2011, 4:12 amLook at this GEM from Israeli media today….
Washington, Israel, Turkey and Iran all have great reasons to want Bashar Assad to remain at the helm – he’s seen as a safety valve…. and a prime mover and shaker in the Infamous White House Murder Machinations INC,…in the Levant since 2000.
That says it all…Birds of the same feather flock together…Pathetic hypocrites despite ALL the daily rhetoric about Freedom and Democracy and other crap.
Posted by HK | March 28, 2011, 4:22 amMore from the Israeli Media today:
Washington is, therefore, willing to agree to Bashar Assad’s continued rule in exchange for some compromises with the protesters, or even their suppression with a “reasonable” amount of force….That is the GEM and the Consensus of the Israeli Media today….Pathetic indeed.
Assad’s most trusted allies are in Israel…. Time and again it’s been proven whenever the Assad regime is in trouble the Israeli government rushes to its rescue… A regime with history of supporting CIA/MOSSAD renditions and the infamous White House Murder INC, in the Levant….inside and outside Syria and frustrating the efforts of a credible peace in the region should not be considered a potential partner for peace… For Israelis who enjoy the fruits of democracy yet continue to defy logic by counting on ruthless dictators rather than the side of rising democracies for true partners of peace is a pitiful situation indeed…. Israel helped Iran during the Iran-Iraq war by selling arms to Iran when everyone was helping Iraq… Destroying Iraq’s nuclear reactor ensured that Iraq could not use nukes against Iran… Israel also helped Hamas develop as a counter to Fatah and the PA…
Divide and Conquer is still the strategy…and the outcome will be hundreds of Tribes with Flags from MENA To Africa to China…. Is this the strategy to stop the (Oumma) Nation preached by many Muslim scholars…with the new Egypt from Morocco to China a new alliance is needed between Hezbollah , IRAN, Israel, Assad and Washington … They might agree with the Kissinger strategy but a sure war is likely to be the outcome between Sunni and Shia…
Posted by HK | March 28, 2011, 4:53 amSyria is the kind of place that makes Hosni Mubarak’s Egypt look like a benevolent dictatorship… Nothing speaks of this as much as the story of Tal Al Malouhi, then a 17-year-old girl arrested in December 2009 in relation to prose and poetry about local affairs. After 14 months (during which she wasn’t allowed to take her high school graduation tests) of persistent demands from family and human rights groups for her release, Tal was put on private trial in the Higher State Security Court where she was convicted of espionage and leaking state sensitive information and sentenced to five years… Such is the ruthlessness and paranoia of the Syrian criminal system. Many believe that in addition to the regional unrest and Syria’s deteriorating economic conditions, it was Tal’s sentencing, which took place in mid- February that ignited protests there….
Knowledgeable people in Syria say the regime is now divided between the coward Bashar Assad , who would prefer to conciliate and co-opt, and his brother Maher al-Assad, commander of the Republican Guard, and brother-in-law Asef Shawkat, head of military intelligence, who want to keep firing….killing, maiming, assassinating people, exactly as they did through the prism of the Infamous White House Murder INC, since 2002. They are doing both: releasing political prisoners and promising an end to the emergency law under which the Ba’ath party has ruled Syria since 1963; and shooting demonstrators….
Hence, a Palace Coup D’état in Damascus is not to be excluded….
After Republican Guards entered Deraa last week, demonstrators taunted Maher al-Assad, their commander: “Maher, you coward, send your troops to liberate the Golan….”
Many Syrians have seen through the hollow rhetoric of their Crypto-Zionist Assad, and the spider’s web of crony capitalism and utter corruption…. They have been burning down not only Ba’ath party offices but local outlets of businesses owned by Rami Makhlouf, cousin to the Assads and billionaire beneficiary of their infamous rule.
Inspired by their Arab cousins, and inflamed by the insolence of the regime’s repression, they are losing their fear…
Good luck to the Syrian people.
Posted by HK | March 28, 2011, 5:21 am“hooded grand priest”
I like that.;)
Posted by Akbar Palace | March 28, 2011, 7:41 amIt is not surprising that the dictators are forming a solid line protecting each other again.
One more time “Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdel Aziz called Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Monday to reaffirm his support for the Syrian leadership as the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported.
The agency said that the Saudi King expressed his solidarity with Syria against all the conspiracies that Syria is facing that may affect the security and stability in the country, and standing beside the Syrian Leader and people of Syria.”
Know I am more convinced than ever that this Arab re Awakening will NOT live up to the expectations of being a major transformational event. Dictators have a way of protecting each others backs !!!!
Posted by ghassan karam | March 28, 2011, 9:06 amGhassan,
I do not think the King’s alleged telephone call would make an iota of difference. The tyrants will always band together. I had asserted yesterday that the perception that H. Clinton left was to give a cue to Assad to “announce” reforms etc…
In the IT age; those words have already been taken (spun?) as support to Assad. The people on the street would think they are being left on their own. You see the perception is everything! In the meantime brutal Syrian mukhabarat is killing and “vanishing” people randomly.
I don’t believe in conspiracy theories…but kindly someone explain why isn’t Syria or Bahrain/Yemen etc on the news anymore? They have just become a footnote.
There is a concerted effort to firm up support for Assad led by cousin Bibi’s support group in USA.
Posted by danny | March 28, 2011, 9:33 amConvenience, opportunity, necessity or utility make odd bedfellows all the time, always have….
Posted by HK | March 28, 2011, 9:37 am“I had asserted yesterday that the perception that H. Clinton left was to give a cue to Assad to “announce” reforms etc……”
The pronouncements by US Congressmen/Women, of Hillary Clinton and various Israeli outlets…give much more than a cue to Assad’s Mafia to “announce” reforms…they give them a free hand to continue firing at will on peaceful/civilian protesters as long as they wish…. That’s criminal collusion to commit murder on a large scale.
Posted by HK | March 28, 2011, 9:46 amOne recent photograph from Yemen summed up the current moment in the Middle East: a young boy at an anti-government protest who’d painted on his bare chest two targets, one on his heart and one on his stomach, alongside the words, “I’m not afraid.”
“Nobody is afraid of these regimes anymore,”
Hopefully Syrians feel the same way…
Posted by HK | March 28, 2011, 10:16 am“Syria’s Alawite Dictatorial authorities promise reform on TV but meet demonstrators with bullets in the streets…”
Posted by HK | March 28, 2011, 10:55 amIs WJ making a U-Turn again??
Posted by IHTDA | March 28, 2011, 11:41 amWalid Jumblatt is Walid Jumblatt and he will never change. He is a CIA asset since the Mid-70s and he still is a CIA asset today….even when he makes occasional U-Turns….it is meant to be one that serves better CIA. He is most useful to CIA when he can meet directly with Assad and Sayyed Hassan Nasrallh and the Clown Berri…etc. [ Knowing intentions and inner thinking of Leaderships does not come from OSINT…, it comes from direct meetings and face to face dialogue.]
Walid Jumblatt goes where CIA says he should go…., Hence his enduring Friendship with Jeffrey Feltman…and others from the other side of the pond.
Notice how Saad Hariri is giving clear instructions to his puppets never to criticize Walid Jumblatt, no matter what Jumblatt says about Hariri and his Clique…because Hariri knows what you don’t….
Posted by HK | March 28, 2011, 11:51 am181…A three point turn.:D
Posted by danny | March 28, 2011, 12:31 pmDanny, Say it don’t be afraid…you mean a three way turn by the Skunk Jumblatt will usher his Death by Syrian assassins….
Just a reminder for laughs:
On May 27, 2007, Syrians “elected” Bashar Assad to a second 7-year term as president in a referendum in which, according to results published two days later by the Ministry of Interior, Assad received the support of 97.62 percent of the voters, a slight improvement upon the 97.24 percent support he received in the first referendum. Such results, though, have little significance. Syrian referendums are a government-orchestrated show and have nothing in common with normal democratic procedure….
Posted by HK | March 28, 2011, 12:44 pmIn anticipation of some deeper analyses and scenarios from QN’s friends and contacts on Syria and Lebanon ….
http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle-East/2011/0328/What-is-at-stake-if-Syria-s-regime-falls
Posted by R2D2 | March 28, 2011, 1:05 pmThe fact that China, India, South Korea and Japan continue to purchase Iranian oil in light of the sanctions on the country kind of proves that the East is pretty racist when it comes to Arabs. Non ?
I mean, come on, these countries obviously know what their money for buying Iranian oil from that regime goes to.
Do they care?
No.
Posted by R2D2 | March 28, 2011, 1:22 pm“… Only in Saudi Arabia could Western-educated princes and Wahhabi religious scholars have something in common. Both speak the language of violence and terror. A week before the “Day of Rage” – the proposed demonstrations on March 11 calling for political reform in Saudi Arabia – the religious scholar Saad al-Buraik called for “smashing the skulls of those who organize demonstrations or take part in them.”
Contrary to the Western view that the kingdom’s princes support reform while its religious leaders are demagogues of terror, the two groups share the same language and goals….and sponsor the March13th lackeys/puppets in Lebanon….
Al-Buraik, an extremist but also a government loyalist, preaches hate against anybody who does not worship the Al-Saud, obey their orders, and maintain silence over their excesses. He is part of a prolific network of preachers embedded in state-funded institutions. His fatwas against Shia and Sunni activists are notorious. He is one of the extremists retained by the government to preach obedience at home and jihad abroad….
We have seen over the last decade how thin the line is that separates the two, with it being frequently crossed in both directions. Like so many Saudi religious scholars, al-Buraik became excited at the prospect of jihad in Iraq against the Shia. When jihadis brought bombs to Riyadh and Jeddah, he felt that they had misunderstood the message. Jihad outside Saudi Arabia is fine but don’t bring it home. It may only be practiced at home against Westernized Saudi liberals who corrupt the purity of the nation or the Iranian fifth column, the Saudi Shia….
Two days before the demonstrations on March 11, foreign minister Prince Saud al-Faisal promised to “cut the fingers of those outsiders who want to interfere in Saudi security,” a statement that was overlooked in the English translation of his press conference statement. A Western-educated prince, known for his refined manners and diplomacy was clearly beginning to feel the heat. His violent words were intended for external consumption, as al-Buraik and his Godly circle had already addressed the local constituency with their own words of terror….
Posted by HK | March 28, 2011, 1:35 pmHK,
It appears they have allowed patients on Shutter Island internet access.
You obviously must have indulged a bit too much in the cocaine business your former boss was involved in to maintain his lifestyle and keep the likes of you a staunch believer in his brilliant business skills.
Posted by R2D2 | March 28, 2011, 1:52 pmLet me guess …
Your favorite movie is Scarface … and you have a photo of Tony Montana next to your Saint.
Posted by R2D2 | March 28, 2011, 2:03 pmDanny,
Our disagreement is not major. I just believe that Hillary Clintons appearance on Face The Nation led to two different headlines (1) US says that it will not attack Syria and (2) Clinton denounced Syrian behaviour but said that it will not attack, yet.
I agree that there was no need for the first one but I also believe that Bashar is dispensable. He does not have anything to offer.
The sad story is that not many will object strongly if Saudi Arabia is to use brutal force. Their 10 million Barrels of oil are the only energy safety valve in the world and the King knows it. That is why he plays these games. But eventually the opposition from within will grow beyond the Shia of the eastern region and his hands will be forced to modernize. The rational thing would be to act before hand. I do not think that an eigthy something is going to compromise and so all of this baggage will have to be dealt with by his successor. Meanwhile He will support any and all Arab dictators. Sad but true.
Posted by ghassan karam | March 28, 2011, 2:09 pmEmperor Obamius’s wars, just like his predecessor GWB are all about killing Arabs and Muslims as they both took their cues from Neocon and Zionist masters. Obama’s middle name might as well be “Haim” instead of Hussein…
Posted by HK | March 28, 2011, 2:41 pm“Lysander,
Please post a link showing Bolton was “advocating US military intervention in Egypt”.”
Sorry, I saw it on Fox news in January and can’t find a youtube of it. I did find this one of Bolton practically begging the Egyptian Military to do what is being done in Syria right now. (Actually the police did do some of that in Egypt, that’s why we had 365 killed, most of the on Jan 28.)
Posted by Lysander | March 28, 2011, 2:52 pmGad-fly is “Bi-Winning” NewZ
HK,
The ARAB LEAGUE gave the UN and NATO the go-ahead to run your hero Gad-fly out of Libya.
Chat with them about their reasoning.
http://www.rferl.org/content/arab_league_libya/2336021.html
Emperor Obamius (along with the rest of the West) is doing this for the following reasons:
1.) To get back at Gad-fly for his downing a commercial airliner over Scotland called PanAm 103.
2.) To boost Obama’s re-election possibilities.
3.) To send a message to the terror supporters around the world.
4.) It’s fun.
Posted by Akbar Palace | March 28, 2011, 2:52 pmLost in Translation
Lysander,
Thanks for taking the time to find/post the clip.
But I didn’t hear “Bolton practically begging the Egyptian Military to do what is being done in Syria right now”.
Obviously one of us has a hearing disability.
Please provide the quote.
I only heard concern about whether the demostrations were going to turn into “a Jeffersonian democracy” or a “muslim brotherhood” aka Islamic state.
Moreover, Bolton responded that the Egyptian populace “should push” for their rights and whatever grievances they have.
I think you’re hearing things.
Posted by Akbar Palace | March 28, 2011, 3:02 pmI recall notion of honor, albeit a rather bloody one, slowly drawn as things evolved so dramatically in the 70s and 80s…. How killers for one’s country with lawful professional zeal and human relish can be moral examples, a concept I couldn’t have entertained even as a PsyOps Team member in a Foreign Land….
Posted by HK | March 28, 2011, 3:10 pmGK,
The Saudi phone call to Assad was not really just a call of support. We will find out the quid pro quo in the months ahead. I think it probably involves Syria leaving the Iranian camp to some extent, but we shall see.
Posted by AIG | March 28, 2011, 3:20 pmAIG,
It goes without saying that the Saudi support is not for free. My point , however, is that the Saudi monarchy finds it in its own best interest to have another thriving dictatorship , especially one that feels indebted to the kingdom.
Such a game though is too cynical to my taste even though Lebanese democracy might benefit from it.
Posted by ghassan karam | March 28, 2011, 3:33 pmHP @ 155,
I find it illogical to say: the logic is compelling irrespective of agreeing or not!
Posted by Badr | March 28, 2011, 3:54 pmAIG,
The phone call is to benefit both tyrants. the cost of that call is a falafal sandwich! Don’t dilute yourselves. Syria will never leave Iran.
Posted by danny | March 28, 2011, 3:55 pmBadr is a Vulcan !! live long and prosper 🙂
Posted by V | March 28, 2011, 4:23 pm