NPR Show with Anthony Shadid, Rami Khouri, and Joshua Landis

This hour On Point: Uprising and crackdown in Syria.
On Point is an NPR radio chat show with host Tom Ashbrook

Guests:

* Anthony Shadid joins us from Beirut, Lebanon. He is a Pulitzer Prize-winning foreign correspondent for the New York Times.

* Rami Khouri also joins us from Beirut. He is an internationally-syndicated columnist and editor-at-large for Lebanon’s Daily Star Newspaper and Director of the Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs at the American University in Beirut.

* Joshua Landis, joins us from Norman, Oklahoma. He is Director of the Center for Middle East Studies at the University of Oklahoma. He runs a blog called “SyriaComment.com.”

It is worth noting that Anthony Shadid is from Oklahoma City and went to the University of Oklahoma!

We peer into the uprising and brutal crackdown in Syria. Will the “Arab Spring” come to a grinding halt at Syria’s doorstep, or will it sweep away the Assad regime along with the others? The jumpy, helter-skelter cell phone videos coming out of Syria are terrifying. Tanks and heavy machine gun fire tearing up streets full of screaming, running protestors. Defiance. Blood. Funerals. Despair.

Syria is not Egypt. Not Tunisia. Not even Libya. There is no NATO intervention here, just a hot wing of the Arab Spring grinding up against a determined dictator whose army is fully ready to shoot and kill.

And yet, Syria is in the heart of the Arab world. If the power falls here, all bets are off. For Jordan, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Iran.

Here is the link to the hour, with the streamed audio:
Also, the podcast is downloadable from iTunes for the next two weeks.
Thanks, Stefano H. Kotsonis, Producer
On Point (National Public Radio)
c/o WBUR-FM
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Comments (88)


 

Sophia said:

A very interesting article in The Economist: The revolt in Syria, not so easy.

http://www.economist.com/node/18620700?story_id=18620700&fsrc=nwl%7Cwwp%7C04-28-11%7Cpolitics_this_week

Their analysis contrasts with the ones that are being published in The Guardian and which are really biased, even more biased than the New York Time.

April 28th, 2011, 6:54 pm

 

Sophia said:

Prof. Landis, the link to the streamed audio takes us to your outlook interface at OU. However, we can vend the audio on the first link.

Thanks for the articles posted on your website prof. Landis. They really make a difference in terms of what is available as objective analysis on Syria these days.

April 28th, 2011, 6:56 pm

 

Majhool said:

Smart Discussion. Thanks

April 28th, 2011, 7:04 pm

 

Akbar Palace said:

I was wrong about murderers and thugs

AIG,

Aren’t liberals the weirdest people you’ve ever met?

April 28th, 2011, 7:17 pm

 

Sophia said:

This is a measure of how the news about Syria are being presented without context:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110427/wl_nm/us_syria_baath
200 Baath party members from Deraa leaving the party.

Facts: how many members the Baath has in Deraa and what it means to be a Baath party member in Syria. When looking at the facts, the news become a non story:
http://angryarab.blogspot.com/2011/04/saudi-propaganda_28.html

April 28th, 2011, 7:49 pm

 

Amir in Tel Aviv said:

Congrats Mr. Landis. Step by step, from interview to the next interview, it becomes clearer that you become a revolutionary born out of a reactionary.

And I agree with you that the opposition is, so far, very wise not to resort to an armed struggle. Despite relentless attempts by the Syrian Junta to provoke the opposition to do so.
The siege on Dar’a has only one aim. Provoke the Sunnis, make them fight, then present them as Islamist-Wahhabi-Salafi militants, and crash them.
.

April 28th, 2011, 9:06 pm

 

Amir in Tel Aviv said:

And Yes. The chance that Israel makes peace with a democratic Syria is higher than the likelihood that Israel makes peace with this Junta, which is.. Zero.
.

April 28th, 2011, 9:12 pm

 

why-discuss said:

Joshua you’re saying that even if Bashar succeeded in staying in power, the economics of the country where no one will invest will move him out.

UNLESS
Bashar al Assad makes a serious overture for PEACE WITH ISRAEL with the return of the Golan. I guess the ground work has already been done through indirect negotiations under Turkey’s auspices before Gaza war. Syria may announce its willingness to move towards direct negotiations now that the importance of his unique stand against Israel has not been appreciated or even mentionned by the protesters and by the arab ‘allies’
If the protesters want freedom and bread, so they’ll get that and more once the peace agreement is signed.
Hamas now merging with Fatah does not need to have their office in Syria, they’ll probably be moved too Ramallah or to Egypt that now see itself eager to play a important role in the region. Hezbollah will stick to Iran as its primary supporters.
Syria has no more resources to play the generous and idealistic Arab country who accept millions of Iraqi refugees, support the resistance and promote Arab unity. Now it is the time for the Baath ideology to be shelved and the real politik to come in front.
Iran and the resistance has been of no help during this difficult times, so why insisting on protecting their interests.
In the present circumstances for Bashar the Jews and Israel are certainly a better partner than the Saudis or even then the Iranians!
When Bashar will show his willingness to sign a peace treaty with Israel, then all western countries will hail Bashar. The money will pour in syria. Who will blame him? He saves his country and his skin…
The country that may be affected negatively is Lebanon, because they will have to naturalize their 500,000 palestinians, something Syria has almost done.

Bashar has this important card in his hand, he wants peace with Israel!

April 28th, 2011, 9:16 pm

 

why-discuss said:

Amir In tel aviv

It is an autocrat who signed the peace treaty between Egypt or Jordan and Israel. A new government without Bashar al Assad in Syria will be as “democratic” as Iraq and it will take many years to enter into negotiations with Israel.
Bashar al Assad was very close to a peace treaty a few years ago.
I guess that if he stays , he will do that first…

April 28th, 2011, 9:24 pm

 

Amir in Tel Aviv said:

WD,

You’re wasting your time. Yes, Israel made peace with tyrants, and Israel is learning from mistakes. This will not happen again.
You don’t sign treaties with a dead man walking. Bashar is a history. It can take some time, but the outcome of this Syrian uprise – Arab spring, is indisputable. The only cards that this junta “has in their sleeves” is more brutality. I wouldn’t advise them to count on Israel.
.

April 28th, 2011, 9:38 pm

 

majedkhaldoon said:

Why Discuss said
“Syria promote Arab unity.”
What did Bashar do to promote arab unity?
Then He said;
“for Bashar the Jews and Israel are certainly a better partner than the Saudis ”
Now it is clear the treason

April 28th, 2011, 9:39 pm

 

why-discuss said:

Amir In Tel Aviv

So why do Israel prefer to keep Bashar in power??? All news coming from Israel indicate that…

You’ll have soon a democratic government in Egypt. See what they are already doing: Opening permanently the frontier with Gaza

http://www.haaretz.com/misc/article-print-page/egypt-fm-gaza-border-crossing-to-be-permanently-opened-1.358690?trailingPath=2.169%2C2.216%2C2.217%2C

April 28th, 2011, 9:43 pm

 

why-discuss said:

Majedelkhaldoon

Syria has received millions or Iraqis, thousands of Lebanese refugees, absorbed half a million of palestinians, its borders are open to ALL arabs, he has stand firm against Israel, supporting the resistance, while Egypt and Jordan were signing peace treaty with Israel.
Who are the traitors?
Now that no one (Syrians, Arabs, West) respects and recognizes what he has done and what he stood for, Bashar should think about his country’s interests before Arab’s interests.
I hope he passes through that crisis, say Thank you to the arabs and for their ‘support’ and move in this direction

April 28th, 2011, 10:03 pm

 

Amir in Tel Aviv said:

WD,

What makes you think that Israel prefers to keep Bashar in power ?? The official Israel is silent, and wisely so. Dump those stupid baseless conspiracy theories.

A democratic Egyptian (somewhat hostile to Israel) government, is one million times better than a pseudo-friendly tyrannical (Mubarak) government.
.

April 28th, 2011, 10:17 pm

 

why-discuss said:

Amir IN TEl Aviv

“But other observers were more cautious, warning an unstable Syria could jeopardise regional security, and a new government in Damascus could be more hostile to Israel.

Itamar Rabinovich, a former Israeli negotiator with Syria, said internal upheaval in Syria could lead to “a regional crisis”.

“The main cause of the May 1967 crisis, which led to the Six Day War, was instability in Syria,” he wrote in Yediot Aharonot newspaper on Tuesday.

“Weak regimes in Syria in the past were sometimes pushed towards more adventurous policies towards Israel,” agreed Eppel.

Despite his alliance with Iran and Hizbollah, Assad is a known quantity for Israel, analysts said.

“The Israeli establishment has a certain sentiment for the Assad family,” commentator Alex Fishman wrote in Yediot Aharonot.

“They kept their promises throughout the years and even talked about an arrangement with Israel on their terms. It’s hard to part with a comfortable old slipper.”

http://www.jordantimes.com/?news=36882

April 28th, 2011, 10:34 pm

 

NK said:

The testimony of a Son of Daraa MP (Mohammad Khair Al Zoubi) about his attempted visit to Daraa and how the army refused to allow them into the city and even opened fire when their car ( an MP car bearing the Parliament logo and a parliamentary issued plate ) approached a military check point, he also describes the situation in Daraa and pleads to the President to just allow the women and children to leave the city.

Jad, remember the guy from Aleppo who wanted to form a delegation and go to Daraa to try and diffuse the situation ? remember how the President “encouraged” him to do so ? well, if an MP from Daraa riding a government vehicle can’t get in, I wonder how serious was the president !!

April 28th, 2011, 10:54 pm

 

jad said:

NK,
I support the effort of the delegation and not the meaningless emotional call from an MP’s son. I’m not buying any emotional call and I refuse to be emotionally abused by graphic pictures or someone crying it ticks me off.
We all know very well that the alternative is a civil war, another Iraq.

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by D.N.N ???? ???? ????????? on Thursday, April 28, 2011 at 7:41pm

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April 28th, 2011, 11:16 pm

 

majedkhaldoon said:

Israel allows the syrian army with tanks and other military vehicles , to pass next to Syria-Israel border,so they will get to western Deraa

April 28th, 2011, 11:35 pm

 

MONTAGNARD said:

Majed @#19
Israel has two choices:
One: acquiesce to the presence of Syrian armor and infantry within the demilitarized zone near the disengagement line agreed to in 1974 during negotiations with Henry Kissinger.
Two: engage the Syrian Army entering the demilitarized zone.
Either way the Syrian Army decided to enter Syrian territory and reclaim it from rebels and outlaws at the risk of fighting Israel.
You should be proud and supportive of your brave Syrian Army answering the call of duty.

April 28th, 2011, 11:57 pm

 

AIG said:

Are you guys serious? Not one Syrian tank or soldier has entered the demilitarized zone.

April 29th, 2011, 12:01 am

 

MONTAGNARD said:

AIG @#21
Sorry AIG I can’t share the evidence. As far as you are concerned, the information about locations, units, strength and armaments is classified. But I can tell you in general the Army has sent units to the demilitarized zone. You can double check with the UN monitoring units of the different sectors. Sorry again you can believe what you wish.

April 29th, 2011, 12:43 am

 

Shami said:

Jad,the iraqi scenario is impossible in Syria for the many reasons that you dont ignore.
Even the most stupid and arrogant people in the alawite community are aware of their size and their geographic isolation.
Accountability process should be minimalist and must only concern the people who ordered the mistreatment of Syrian civilians(and palestinian,jordanian,iraqi and lebanese,other arabs included).There is a consesus (even among the Ikhwan)that the Alawite community like the other syrian communities is innocent of Asads crimes.

April 29th, 2011, 12:54 am

 

jad said:

Shami,
Do you really believe that people will listen to anybody if the regime collapse? Seriously?
Are you listening to what people are shouting in the streets of Douma even though the regime is still strong:
????? ???????? ??????? ??????
Or listening to the lovely sheikh in Daraa telling people that Druz women are all whores
Or Quaradawi calling to get rid of all NUSAYREIA!!!
Please be my guest and talk to those angry guys/criminals/fake retarded shyoukh who are running loose in the streets with swords and guns and tell them to behave, good luck!
For me, I believe in logic, facts and realities and I think Syria will become another Iraq if the regime collapse

April 29th, 2011, 1:09 am

 

Shami said:

Jad ,
These marginal reactions always existed and now they could emanate from angry people ,the sectarian selection practiced by the regime has fueled such logic.In general what we saw in these demosntrations are pro unity slogans and i believe that they are guenine,despite all ,members of minorities took part in these protests in decent numbers.
And if i dont see the repetition of the iraqi scenario in Syria it’s for the simple reason that there can not be a sunni-alawite war in Syria.(alawites are not suicidal)
In Iraq,the civil war happened as result of the iranian theocracy attempt to use their proxy militias in order to separate the south and to annex Baghdad to it with the american approval but they failed because they face the sunni ocean.

April 29th, 2011, 1:26 am

 
 

jad said:

Shami,
“In general what we saw in these demosntrations are pro unity slogans” we saw that in Iraq before, we also saw it in Lebanon at the beginning of their civil war, didn’t we? Nobody listen to those poor people who called for ‘unity’ and the civil war happened.
“for the simple reason that there can not be a sunni-alawite struggle in Syria.”
Instead there will be a Sunni-Regime struggle, again as we saw that in Iraq
“…the iranian theocracy attempt to use their proxy militias”
Iran and Saudi both will use the same method in Syria…We back to Iraq
Conclusion: IRAQ!

April 29th, 2011, 1:41 am

 

Shami said:

Jad,
The always small number of crazy “salafi” jihadists are infiltrated by syrian regime and Iranian intelligences,the same alliance also backed the extremist shia groups.They wanted an explosive cocktail in Iraq.
Those who defeated these manipulated depraved jihadists(always marginal) are the (sunni)tribes of Iraq and nobody else.

April 29th, 2011, 1:55 am

 

jad said:

Shami,
You are accusing the Syrian regime of the civil war in Iraq and yet you deny and used the word ‘impossible’ that a civil war can happen in Syria forgetting that Syria is actually run by the same regime.
Don’t you see how illogical your comments are?
I guess we live in two different world, for me I’ll stay in reality for now and tell you as the NPR show guests said: IRAQ is the more probable future of Syria if the regime collapsed

You think that Iraq today is ‘heaven’ and the ‘jihadists’ get defeated. What a sad joke.

April 29th, 2011, 2:13 am

 

Shami said:

Jad,
I dont fear my own people,and would not swallow the mukhabarati theoretical terrorism:after me the deluge.
Exporting terrorism by security apparatuses is one thing but I really dont see how an isolated mountain and a relatively small number could fight an ocean which surround it.

April 29th, 2011, 2:35 am

 

Mina said:

Shami #28
So how do you explain that most of the suicide bombers in Iraq where Saudi nationals?
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2007/08/08/18791/studies-suicide-bombers-in-iraq.html

April 29th, 2011, 3:40 am

 

Mina said:

Shami #23
That is as delusional as Ammar Abdulhamid interview:
you seem to see everything from inside an hermetically sealed bubble called Syria, without considering external interfence. You say the Alawites are not so stupid to start a Sunni/Shia war because they are not numerous enough. Do you think the whole Iraqi mess started at the hands of Iraqis? that’s not what they are saying, ask them.

April 29th, 2011, 3:45 am

 

Badr said:

I hate to put it in such callous terms, but it is essentially a number game, and so far the Syrian regime is winning. The critical mass for degeneration is still not there.

April 29th, 2011, 3:45 am

 

Mina said:

By the way the good news are flooding: Gaza border with Egypt is going to be permanently open says the Egyptian government, and Hamas and Fatah have reached an agreement for a unity government, which was the step missing for 130+ states to recognize Palestine as a state, no matter the US and Israeli pressures.

The common interest of the Saudis and Israel are based on religious sectarianism: Saudi Arabia may talk about reforms and pretend it has a plan for peace in Yemen, it is the only state in the world which does not allow officially the opening of a Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist temple, or a Christian church (if i am wrong please correct me). For this simple reason, the US cannot give any lessons of democracy to the rest of the world as long as it keeps such an alliance.

April 29th, 2011, 3:57 am

 

Souri333 (formerly Souri) said:

Next Friday will be Assad Friday:

http://www.facebook.com/Fri.Assad?sk=wall

It will be a strong message to the US and its allies.

April 29th, 2011, 4:13 am

 

Shami said:

Mina,i never meant that the suicide bombers in Iraq were alawites or even syrians.But it’s a fact that both regimes intelligences ,the iranian and the syrian(and others) have infiltrated these small groups and manipulate them.
Do you deny this possibility?
Did you hear about the syrian mukhabarat agent Abu Al Qa3qa3 ?how could you explain such phenomenon?
See how the syrian people are making fun of the mukhabarati movies :
http://www.youtube.com/user/syrianagent2011#p/a/u/0/A5Ca-sOr_P0

April 29th, 2011, 4:19 am

 

Mina said:

Shami,
I hate the mukhabaraat as much as you do but the way it works in the West is: some in public places where people talk a lot like sport clubs and coffeshops, some locals in villages, some as taximen. Plus all your email scanned and your telephone calls if abroad also scanned. Plus thousands of cameras (the UK and France way). Syria certainly has no such level of technology, and I wonder how a state is supposed to have a hand on a society where precisely religion and family are working as sealed mafias based on secrecy and solidarity.
If I compare the (disastrous in some ways… let’s look at the economy) Syrian model to the Gulf model, i see that the alternative which the Gulf wants to offer is: to keep its locals like well-fed sheeps while they import “experts” for everything from police to techs. And the poors to clean the streets and work as slaves for contractors. This is not a model that should be exported, because it is based on plain racism.

April 29th, 2011, 4:49 am

 

Souri333 (formerly Souri) said:

?????? ?????? ??????? ???????.. ??????

http://www.tayyar.org/Tayyar/News/PoliticalNews/ar-LB/AMINE-HOTEIT-HH-1333.htm?_year=2008\\\%27\\\%27\\\%27\

April 29th, 2011, 5:24 am

 

Souri333 (formerly Souri) said:

The vandalistic protests in Syria are too little to do any significant harm to the country. They are not a threat. The only threat comes from the Western colonialist powers. This is the real threat that we are facing now. The possibility of a war with Israel is very realistic in the given circumstances.

April 29th, 2011, 5:30 am

 

????? said:

????? ??????? ??????? ?? ????? ???? ! ? ???? ?????? ??????? ??????? ??? ????? ?????? ????? ???? ????? ??? ! ?? ??????? ??? ??? ?????? ???? ????? ! ?????? ?????? ????? ??? ????? !

April 29th, 2011, 5:40 am

 
 

Revlon said:

# Dear Montangnard, thank you for confirming the entry of Syrian army troops to demilitarized zone, in order to acces”s western dar3a. Such must have been approved by the Israelis.

You have also, unwittingly, confirmed the presence of a large scale mutiny in the Syrian Army in Southern Syria.

It is highly probable that a major tank and artillery battle has been raging for the last few days between dissenting, Sunni lead divisions defending dar3a city and 3alawi lead divisions seeking to to quel both the dissenting divisions and the civilian uprising.

Otherwise, why on earth should the Syrian army need to use the demiliterised zone to access a Syrian city, inhabited by besieged civilians!

April 29th, 2011, 6:26 am

 

majedkhaldoon said:

Revlon
It is possible that troops are taken from the front against Israel ,toward Deraa,

April 29th, 2011, 7:29 am

 

Shami said:

Dear Mina,are you stalinist or what?

April 29th, 2011, 7:33 am

 

Norman said:

WD,

You are probably right, after this problem that Syria is passing through ends, Syria is going to rethink her allaiances and who are her freinds and who are her enimies.

April 29th, 2011, 7:35 am

 

majedkhaldoon said:

First Fadi,then Why Discuss, now they are joined by Norman

April 29th, 2011, 8:00 am

 

Mina said:

Shami,
I don’t need a -ist word to use my brain. Do the Syrians want to become the slaves of the US, the Gulf and Israel? Why sending a month ago some 12-years-old to the streets shouting “we want the fall of the regime” instead of “we want elections”? The Syrians were getting hungry but at least they were not the slaves of anyone. Do you know how many hours people work in the West to get the right to pay their bills, say what they want on the internet, and rarely see their kids or their partner because of too many working hours and being moved from a branch to another?

April 29th, 2011, 8:02 am

 

norman said:

Majed,

I am glad that i made it to your hit list.

April 29th, 2011, 8:14 am

 

Shami said:

Mina,so let’s go to free occupied Golan instead of this false rejectionism from Rami Makhlouf or Aoun media.Good Luck in your rejectionism with Nasser Qandil,Wiam Wahhab,Ahmad Hassoun ,Souri333,Maher,Bashar,Asif,Shaleesh ,SYAU and Aver….
It seems that you ignore the history of the syrian people,sons of Omar Ben Khattab,Khalid Ibn al Walid,Al Qadi Ibn Khashshab,Nouredin,Salahadin,Suleiman Halabi ,Yusef al Azmeh,Jules Jamal…
Also Mina ,we greatly contributed to the victorious battle of Galipoli:

With an estimated 300,000 Arabs in the Ottoman forces in 1914, a third of the total men under arms, there were far more Arabs serving in the ranks of the Ottoman army than those who followed the banners of the Arab revolt, Goncu points out.

However, Gallipoli is now claimed as only a Turkish victory. It was there that Colonel Mustafa Kemal twice thwarted Allied attacks, saving an empire that he would then overthrow. Later, he was to become better known as Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey.

Yet, historians now point out it was with the help of Arab troops that his reputation was built.

“Two thirds of the troops who made up his 19th Division that
faced the first wave of the Allied invasion were Syrian Arabs,
comprising the 72nd and 77th regiments of the Ottoman army,” says Turkey-based Australian writer and historian Bill Sellars.
http://history-geeks-get-chicks.tribe.net/thread/04a74422-af77-4d5a-8320-82bd36bc77b9

April 29th, 2011, 8:21 am

 

Shami said:

Norman,Asad has no friends.
But Israel would be his last supporter with the theocrats of Qom

April 29th, 2011, 8:35 am

 

syau said:

Shami,

I feel honoured to be put in the same sentance alongside Bashar.
Your seeing me fit to be alongside the Syrian president is uplifting to say the least.

By the way, more insurgents caught. More admittions into the anarchy caused by the ‘revolutionists’ endorsed by the MB and Syrian revolution.

One of the groups admitting to the evil SELECTIVE executions and mutilations of innocent Syrians. Anyone endorsing such acts belongs in a sentance alongside Satan.

It’s wonderful to see the Syrian security services capturing these terrorists and regaining stability to the country.

FYI- All of the terrorists captured are pointing the finger at the religious leaders of their mosques as being ring leaders and advising them the any murders and mutilation they commit will send them directly to heaven.

How sad it is that first, their ‘religious leaders’ put their hands inhand with Satan and gave them the green light to commit cold blooded murder.

And second, they were stupid enough to believe and trust and follow their orders.

April 29th, 2011, 8:41 am

 

Shami said:

SYAU,you are a mini-sectarian alawite who is scared from the inescapable change over, thus Asad is your God so it’s normal that we are Satan in your eyes.

April 29th, 2011, 8:50 am

 

Mina said:

Shami,
It is so weird that for a lot of the anti-regime, taking back Golan seems the only priority in a world which is suffering the worst economic crisis since 1929.
As you hate the Syrian regime, aren’t you afraid the Golan-people may say “sorry but we prefer to stay in Israel, there are more job opportunities”.
By the way, it is well-known that Netanyahu was ready to give up on Golan, so why do you wish for a war when something can be retrieved peacefully?
http://www.haaretz.com/news/report-netanyahu-ready-to-discuss-golan-pullout-1.4309

April 29th, 2011, 8:58 am

 

syau said:

Shami,

Wrong, there is only one God, and that is the Almighty, merciful Allah. Bashar on the other hand is a great man, and I hold my head high with the knowledge that he is the Syrian president and that he will regain stability for the Syrian people.

I did not say you were satan, I said the ones endorsing the evil cold blooded murder and mutilation belong alongside satan. I did mention the Syrian revolution and the MB, but I suppose with your comments, you put your own self in the same sentance as those organisations. By the way……Change over, not going to happen. Get used to it and stop deluding yourself. Bashar will be the Syrian president for a long time to come- meaning decades and decades to come.

April 29th, 2011, 9:04 am

 

Shami said:

“sorry but we prefer to stay in Israel, there are more job opportunities”

Mina ,do you believe that Rami Makhlouf is good or bad for Israel ?

April 29th, 2011, 9:08 am

 

Ghat Al Bird said:

SHAMI, SYAU,MINA and others might be interested in viewing the “other” side of the God versus Satan from a neighbor’s angle.

http://www.gilad.co.uk/writings/israeli-humour-mocking-jesus-on-israeli-tv.html

April 29th, 2011, 9:14 am

 

syau said:

Ghat Al Bird,

I’ve seen this already, it was despicable.

April 29th, 2011, 9:21 am

 

jad said:

It’s 4:30pm in Syria and until now the protests are small in numbers, which means blood is the alternative to make news.
There are news that 4 soldiers were killed which means a retaliation will start and more Syrian blood will be spelled in yet another bloody Friday.
??????? ?????? : ????? ??????? ?? ???? ????? ???? ????? ?????? ??? ??? ??? ??????? 4 ?? ?????? ??????? ??????? ??????

Allah yestor!

April 29th, 2011, 9:32 am

 

vlad-the-syrian said:

to #56

the same monotheist shit, blood thisrt and fantasmagory alongside with terrorism : muslims, christians and jews alike

my dream is that monotheism which emerged in Syrian ends too in Syria.

Syrians : i say down with monotheism ! down with this bloody ideology ! FUCK ALLAH , SOURIA BASS !

April 29th, 2011, 9:46 am

 

Revlon said:

??????? || ?????? ?????” ???? ???? ????? ” ?? ??????? ?????? ???? ??? ?? ???? ???????

12 minutes ago

Al Fati7a upon his soul,
May God bless his family with solace and empower them with patience.

April 29th, 2011, 10:20 am

 

Revlon said:

????..??????: ?????? ??????? ???? ????? ??? ???? ???????? ??? ??? ????
-??????? ??????: ???? ????? ?????? ??? ??? ??????? ?? ????

31 minutes ago

???? || ???? ||???? ?????? ?? ?? ????? ?? ????? ???????

April 29th, 2011, 10:21 am

 
 
 

jad said:

Sophia,
They’ve been doing that for a month now.
Enjoy the show of Mr. Abou Alqasem 😉

http://www.youtube.com/user/addounia#p/u/18/r15U2Ke9L1s

April 29th, 2011, 10:40 am

 

Revlon said:

7ama is back! Demonstrators of Friday of rage in 7ama have made their stongest statement of intent yet.

Their number has doubled.

Their path through the central square (Orantis Square) was daring.

Tearing down a huge poster of Jr atop the commercial bank and two others in 7ader area has announced their emancipation of any lingering fear from their ruling tormentors.

7ama has joined 7oms and Dar3a, as the major urban hotspots of the revolution.

April 29th, 2011, 10:43 am

 

Revlon said:

Ma Min7bbak Ma Min7ibbak, ir7al 3anna inta w7izbak
(We do not like you, Go and take Baath with you)

Ya Bachar Bye Bye, Bidna Nshoufak bilahai
(Hey Bashar Bye Bye, We will see you at the Hague)

La salafiyeh w la Ikhwan, Thawritna thawret shuj3an
Neither salafi nor MB, our revolution is the brave’s

Asha3b, Yurid, Isqatinnizam
Down the System

Sample of today’s Talkalakh demonstration chants

April 29th, 2011, 11:10 am

 

Revlon said:

????? ?????? ????? ??????? ???? ?????? ???????
????? ?????? ????? ????????? ????? ??????? ???? ????? ?????? ?????? ????? ??? ???? ??????? ??????? ? ??????? ?? ????? ???? ????? ????? ??????? ???? ???? ???? ??????? ???????? ???? ????? ???????? ?? ????? ???? ??? ????? ?????? ????????? ???? ???? ????? ?????? ?????? ??????? ?????? ????? ????????? ???????

April 29th, 2011, 11:14 am

 

majedkhaldoon said:

It is ironic that Bashar is eye doctor,yet he can not see that he lost his legitamcy,he is blind he can not see the suffering of the people of Deraa,He has no vision,neither in his eyes nor in his head

April 29th, 2011, 11:28 am

 

Revlon said:

?? ???? ????? …???? ?? ??????.
A new contributin to the Library of the Syrian Revolution

April 29th, 2011, 11:51 am

 

Revlon said:

???? : ?????? : ????? ??????? ???? ????? ?? ?????? ??????? ????? ????? ?? ?????? ?? ???? ??????? ? ?????? ? ???????? ?????? ????? ??????? ?????? ??? ????? ? ????? ??????? ?????? … ??? ???? ????? ?? ????? ???? …
??? ???? ????? ?? ????? … ??? ???? ????? ?? ????? … ??? ???? ????? ?? ?????

AlFati7a upon their soul,
May God bless their souls and empower them with patience.

April 29th, 2011, 12:21 pm

 

Revlon said:

???? ????? ???? ?? ??? ?????? Youth Syria For Freedom
???? || ??? || ???? ???????? ???? ???? ????? ????? ????? ?? ???? ???????

8 minutes ago

Al fati7a upon Muhannad and haytham’s souls,
May God bless his family with solace and empower them with patience.

April 29th, 2011, 12:28 pm

 

Revlon said:

A landmark decision from the United nations
Another nail in the coffin of the regime’s international legitimacy.??? : ???? : ??????? : ???? ???? ??????? ?????? ????? ??????? ????? ????? ??????? ???? ????? ? ????? ????? ???? ????? ??? ?????
? ?????? ??? 5 ?????? ??????? ????? ????? ?????? ???? ???????
????? ????? ??????? ???? ??????? ??????? ??????? ????? ??? ??? 26 ???? ???? ??? ??? ?????? ?? ??????? ????

April 29th, 2011, 12:31 pm

 

Revlon said:

• ?????: ???? ???? ???? ?????? ?? ?????????? ??????? | ????? ????? ?????? | Reuters
ara.reuters.com
???? (??????) – ??? ????? ??????? ?? ????? ???? ???? ???? ?????? ?? ????? ???? ????? ???? ?? ????? ??????? ??????? ?? ???? ??? ?????? ?? ???? ?????? ?? ??????? ??????? ??? ??? ?????????? ??????? ???????
2 minutes ago

Another one in the old city (Jazamatiyeh)

April 29th, 2011, 12:37 pm

 

Revlon said:

?????? |||| 83 ???? ????? ????? ????? ????? ??? ???? ?? ???????? ???? ??? ????? ????? ?????????? ?????? ?????? ?? ???? ?????? ???? ????? ?? ???? …
24 minutes ago

Al Fati7a upon their souls,
May God bless their families with solace and empowere them with ptience.

April 29th, 2011, 12:47 pm

 

jad said:

How come 4 days of sieged and shelling by artillery of Daraa as Aljazeera and oppositions said with no more than 20-40 dead according to the media while in less than 2 hours today always after 7:30 Syrian time the numbers of victims in Daraa jumped from 15 to 83, along 5 in Rastan, 2 in Homs’ village?
How is that possible? are they counting every person die normally in Syria with those martyrs or are they keeping all bodies hidden to introduce them on Friday as fresh blood when the number of protesters are not as high as they wished?
I’m sorry for not showing any sympathy to any side anymore, because both sides are still treating us Syrian as their stupid subjects.

April 29th, 2011, 1:09 pm

 

AIG said:

Jad,

How is it possible? Why don’t you ask your friend and “father” Assad why he does not let the press in? Only one side is trying to hide information.

April 29th, 2011, 1:25 pm

 

jad said:

My ‘father’ Assad is busy with you ‘mother’, I don’t want to disturb him.
Are you going to fuck off and stay away from me or not?

April 29th, 2011, 1:30 pm

 

AIG said:

Jad,

If you do not understand the concept of freedom of speech, that is your problem. You don’t have to answer me if you don’t want to. Just ignore me if you like. But you can’t shut me up.

April 29th, 2011, 1:41 pm

 

why-discuss said:

Revlon

: ??????? : ???? ???? ??????? ?????? ????? ??????? ????? ????? ??????? ???? ????? ? ????? ????? ???? ????? ??? ?????

Is any other news channel other that al Jazeera saying it? I haven’t read it anywhere. Or another Al Jazeera ‘eye witness” report.

“Despite Reports of Brutality Toward Civilians, Syria to Join U.N.’s Human Rights Council”

From al Jazeera, incitment from the MB.. finally confirming their link to the opposition.

Significantly, Friday’s demonstrations have the backing of the outlawed Islamist group, the Muslim Brotherhood, which was crushed by the regime in 1982.

It is the first time that the Brotherhood has called directly for protests in Syria since pro-democracy demonstrations against Assad erupted nearly six weeks ago.

A declaration by the Brotherhood, sent to Reuters news agency by its leadership in exile on Thursday, said: “Do not let the regime besiege your compatriots. Chant with one voice for freedom and dignity. Do not allow the tyrant to enslave you. God is great.”

So far, the Brotherhood has been trying to keep a low profile, as the government has been trying to link them to protests, Amin said.

April 29th, 2011, 1:45 pm

 

Shami said:

Why discuss and Sophia are you supporters of Aoun ?

April 29th, 2011, 1:51 pm

 

jad said:

What was Alex thinking when he let a provocative person who was banned at least 5 times from SC for attacking almost everybody on SC and who did lie many times just to come in and to provoke Syrians under different names to come back? Is your business not flourishing at Qifa’s blog?

Let me remind you that you get back on SC under the condition of not provoking others, especially those who tell you more than 4 times not to address them directly. Stick to this condition and I promise that I’ll keep ignoring you as I was always do.

April 29th, 2011, 1:54 pm

 

AIG said:

Jad,

You are lying. I never lied to get back to SC and have always posted under one name.

Let me remind you that Alex has not set any conditions for my return. Furthermore, let me remind you that “provoking” is simply a code word you use for describing difficult questions I ask and you feel uncomfortable with. Grow up and figure out good answers to my questions. You are also welcome to just ignore me.

April 29th, 2011, 2:04 pm

 

why-discuss said:

Protests in Damascus according Al Fantazeera

“Protests against Bashar al-Assad, the Syrian president, (were there specifically addressed to Bashar?) took place in most major centres ( which ones?) around Syria on Friday, in a repeat of pro-democracy rallies that have become the norm after weekly Muslim prayers.( Earlier it is mentionned that there were ‘anedoctical’ demonstrations in villages )

Friday brought the largest anti-regime protest in the Syrian capital since protests against President Bashar al-Assad’s decade-long rule began last month. ( it seems to always the largest, how many this time 100,000?)

Gunfire was reported in Damascus and in the coastal city of Latakia, with witnesses claiming that security forces have fired on protesters, according to the Associated Press news agency. (The usual witnesses )

An estimated 15,000 protesters demonstrated in Damascus, many ( how many? 50? calling for the toppling of the regime. ( According to who? Rula Amin in the video says they were 500 in Damascus }

April 29th, 2011, 2:11 pm

 

Mina said:

WD,
The Guardian has better eyes even, they saw ten thousand people walking from al Maydan in Damascus to the Umayyad square (on the videos it looks no more than two or three hundred).
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/blog/2011/apr/29/syria-libya-yemen-middle-east
(4:04 PM)
while the Al Jazeera English Rula Amin was speaking of a very short demo of 500 persons (but on their blog they seem to like bigger figures).
BBC Arabic has shown one of the “Liberals”, on Skype from Manchester, talking nonsense about the “National Initiative”. It was later discussed (and dismissed) by two senior analysts, Samir Aita, director of Le Monde Diplomatique and someone in Washington whose name I forgot, at 6h15 PM GMT

April 29th, 2011, 2:45 pm

 

why-discuss said:

In one week, Egypt has ”democratically’ made provocative decisions that are making the US and its allies, especially Israel grind their teeth:

– Permanent opening of Rafaa crossings, thus canceling Gaza blockade
– Reunification of Hamas and Fatah thus getting ready for the September showdown at the UN
– Diplomatic opening to Iran thus stopping Iran isolation, just after the GCC is accusing Iranians of interference

Any connection with the events in Syria?
What does US has in mind for Syria? changing it from a hardline into a “moderate” since Egypt and the Fatah seem to say goodbye to the ‘moderate’camp?

April 29th, 2011, 4:48 pm

 

Mina said:

The way the West tries to change Syria to “moderate” reminds very well of Saddam Hussein’s role in their games. To ask al-Asad to finish with the ultras before any peace process starts is almost an intronisation in this club of blood-thirsty weapon salesmen.

April 29th, 2011, 5:12 pm

 

jad said:

#82,
“You are lying. I never lied to get back to SC and have always posted under one name.”
When you lie be sure to get rid of all evidence “just saying”
https://joshualandis.com/blog/?p=5185&cp=all#comment-233314

April 29th, 2011, 7:04 pm

 

why-discuss said:

I guess the egyptian new democratically dictated decisions about Israel is giving second thoughts to the US about blindly promoting democracies in the middle east.
A Moslem brotherhood controlled Syria will become a moslem extremist haven, al Qaeda style with a border with Israel, Jordan and Lebanon, Turkey… Hello troubles…

April 29th, 2011, 8:55 pm

 

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