Where In The Tunnel Are We? – By Ehsani
Posted by Ehsani on Monday, January 30th, 2012
Why is the Syrian opposition so divided? Here are some of the main divisions running through Syrian society:
Sunni versus Alawi
Poor versus rich
Rural versus urban
Homs and Hama versus Aleppo and Damascus
Baathists versus Non-Baathists
Religious versus Secular
Saudi Arabia versus Iran
USA versus Russia
Welcome to the cocktail of the new Syrian revolution.
I returned home to Syria two weeks ago. Many of my friends were surprised that I would make the long trip at this time of gathering war.
For two weeks, I traveled (flew) between Aleppo and Damascus. I talked to rich and poor: bankers, taxi drivers, young protestors from Idlib, rank and file army soldiers stationed in Homs, senior Alawi officers, Christian and tribal Sunni families. I did my best to get a comprehensive view of what people were thinking and how they saw the future.
In what follows, I will present a raw interview-type account of three different encounters that I had. Two were with Taxi drivers. One with a soldier. Even though I had my own car and someone to drive me around, I preferred the taxis to get a better feel.
The First Encounter:
Perhaps the most telling single discussion I had was with a young smart university graduate from Idlib who was driving a taxi which he does not own. Within minutes of his discovering that I lived abroad, he boasted to me that he had taken part in two demonstrations in his home town, Idlib. We arrived at our destination in minutes, but I ask him to keep the meter running. For the next 45 minutes, we talk about the revolution while his car was parked outside my house. Here is a synopsis of our conversation:
Ehsani: Why are you protesting?
He started by describing how his first cousin was killed with 23 other cadets while in service. They were suspected of turning their backs on the army. He described how his village has since gone crazy. He then wonders why I would even ask such a question and proceeds to describe how he is unable to get employed. He calmly talks about corruption and cronyism and how they have infested the ruling party and the business elites. The Aleppo merchants are only interested in money and are in no mood to join the uprising he thought. When he appeared in those Idlib demonstrations, what was the army’s response I wondered? “They just watched,” he said. “I am not going to lie and tell you that they shoot at us.”
“What does the President have to do to gain your support from this point?” I ask. “It is too late. There is nothing” came the quick response”. How long will it take for the revolution to succeed and topple the regime? Four years came the quick response. Naturally, I act surprised. He makes a bet with me that it will be this long. The four years are needed before the country is truly starving and when even the 8-year old is forced to go down onto the streets to join the protests. “Only then, will the regime fall,” was his explanation. He has a facebook page and he urges me to communicate with him to understand more about the revolution after I leave.
The Second Encounter:
The next day, I hear that there is a pro-regime maseera (demonstration) under way. I spend two full hours in the city square in an attempt to understand who the participants are. I quickly realize that the Baath party is largely in charge. It is cold but most young men are asked to make a large circle and dance the dabke. On the other side of the street, groups with a loud speaker are rallying the crowd with songs praising the President and attacking the Emir of Qatar Hamad Al-kalb (the dog). The Syrian TV is present. Reporters are busy handing their own cell phones to people in the crowd asking them what they think. Many grab the phones and launch into a tirade against the Arab league and Emir Hamad while they urge the government to hit the insurgents hard. An important person must have arrived. He is surrounded by tough looking men pushing the crowd. I turn to one of them and wonder who this man is. “Ameen Al Hizb” was the quick response. The VIP makes it to the front of the Massera and listens to the Hamad references, smiles and heads back to his awaiting car in the distance. One last dabke group is left. A group of 7 girls arrive. They are distinctly unattractive. They first join the young boys in the dabke circle. They then form their own mini circle in the middle. Another tough looking man seems to be in charge of this young debke crowd. The square is emptying out as it starts to rain. I decide to grab a taxi. Benzene is not available again it seems. A shortage of taxis is evident. One shows up and only decides to take me when he finds out that my house is on his way home. No Benzene again I ask? He nods and tells me how he will drop me, head home and park the car. Then what will you do I wonder? He quickly snaps back “I will beg”.
Ehsani: How many kids do you have? Answer: Three
Where are you originally from?
Answer: Afreen
Are you a Kurd? Yes.
Are you a naturalized Syrian citizen? Yes.
Ehsani: How much do you need to live a decent life with three kids?
Answer: SYP 20,000 ($285 with SYP at 70 to the Dollar that morning).
Ehsani: How much do you make?
Answer: SYP 15,000 but I pay SYP 4800 in mortgage leaving me with about SYP 10,000 to cover everything for 5 people for a month. I quickly do the math in my head. This is about $ 1 a day per person.
Ehsani: I wonder how you manage. What do your kids demand the most when you get home?
Driver: Farrouj (chicken) which costs SYP 350.
I have three kids myself. The trip is over. I pull out a large money note and hand it to him if he promises that he buys two chickens on his way home after he drops me off. He is shell shocked and tries to refuse it. I insist but only if he keeps his promise to buy the farrouj for the kids.
The Third Encounter:
I get a call from a relative telling me how a young man in his building just came back from serving in Homs. He is allowed to see his family for three days before he needs to return. I ask if I can talk to him. That evening, a 20-year old shows up. He starts by showing me pictures with him in uniform as he sits on the front line of two warring communities in Homs. For the next 30 minutes, he describes how Alawi and Sunni neighborhoods face each other with his unit sitting in between. Both are heavily armed he claims. He seems resigned to the fact that the country faces a long ordeal as sectarian tensions mount. He is a Christian serving with 5 Sunnis. He assures me that the Syrian army is a lot stronger than many believe and that only 10-20% of its capacity has been used thus far.
Ehsani: If Damascus decides to end the Homs insurgency and use its full might, how many people would die?
Soldier: 50,000
Ehsani: What about all of Syria?
Soldier: 100,000. Presently, we have orders not to shoot. We gain little by shooting as the guns will be grabbed by others and the anger will ensure that many more join the revolution. Our unit is one of the weakest. Damascus could easily replace us with stronger divisions if the objective were to take over these neighborhoods and kill the armed elements. This is what I expect will happen at some stage, however.
Ehsani: What will you do once you are done with your service?
Soldier: “Get out of here as fast as I can. I don’t care where I go.” His cousin is sitting next to him nods in agreement. “I will swim across to Cyprus soon,” he adds.
The Aleppo Business Community:
The following morning I accompany my father to the heart of the Aleppo business world. From a nondescript “dekkane” (store), super astute men seem to run an operation with a turnover of nearly $20 million a year. Forget about fancy offices or executive secretaries. This is how generations of this family have conducted business – under the radar screen. How many men make up the extended family with the same family name, I ask? Nearly 5,000 I am told.
Ehsani: What has stopped the Aleppo business community from joining the uprising?
Store owner: In Aleppo, the people are wise. They are not interested in taking the country into the majhoul (unknown). We are not interested in sulta (ruling). We want stability.
Ehsani: How much of what is going on in the country is due to sectarian tensions between Sunnis like yourselves and Alawis?
Store owner: We really don’t care who is ruling the country. We care about stability and justice. We are not happy with the corruption and injustice. He then asked me if I had visited the Aleppo court system. The corruption there is mind boggling, I am quickly told. Judges pay between SYP 5 and 10 million to get the job. Every case can be negotiated and priced with his “kateb” (clerk) outside. Many times, individuals who have committed murder can walk away after a short sentence if they pay enough and change the sentence down from capital punishment (iidam). Many operatives in the court have witnesses for hire at their disposal. With enough money, you can buy any testimony-shahade.
As I leave, one man describes how tribal infighting will take this country down the tubes should the regime fall and law and order disappears. You have no idea how much vengeance (tarat) exists between our ashaer (tribes) here in Aleppo, I am reminded.
On the Economy:
The economy is reeling after nearly a year of unrest. To be sure, this is not surprising. During the early months, the local currency was largely stable. The Syrian Central Bank has always used the stable currency exchange rate as a metric of its successful management of the economy. Or, so they thought. For years, everyone was comfortable that the SYP will stay within a reasonable range thanks to ample foreign exchange reserves and a willingness to intervene when needed. This long-held assumption was severely tested as of late. The SYP has by now lost nearly 50% of its value against the Dollar. The Central bank has been powerless to stop it. No one in the country has offered an explanation. People are totally in the dark. For example, It is impossible to know the exact level of reserves at the Central Bank. This number is a national security matter. Logically, the political leadership has realized that this is a long ordeal which dictates that it is perhaps better off holding on to whatever reserves it has rather than wasting them on a futile currency intervention.
The recent devaluation to SYP 73 (the rate earlier today) has caused havoc in the business community. Most sellers of goods and commodities refuse to sell inventories unless they adjust the prices to the new rate. This is why prices have nearly doubled as talk of SYP at 100 makes the rounds. A prominent businessman describes how his local sheikh urged him and others to sell their old inventories at the old exchange rate which was his true cost. He was torn about what to do at first but then decided to ignore the advice and sell at the higher prices to reflect the new exchange rate. The exchange rate of the SYP is now nearly every household’s discussion. Every social meeting starts with the latest rate from an hour ago. The economy is entering a dollarization phase. For any commercial transaction to take place, finding where the latest exchange rate is comes first. As the effects of this currency devaluation filter through, prices at the retail level are likely to head higher. The government does not seem to have the resources to increase the salaries this time. Those on fixed incomes are being crushed.
Concluding Remarks:
According to one of my dear friends, it is impossible to model the final outcome of this crisis. What will happen to the regime and whether it will survive is impossible to forecast. One particularly astute observer assured me that the regime cannot last beyond the end of this year. Again, the person who stuck in my head the most was the young student from Idlib. Indeed, every Syrian who is in the military or who has served there in the past seemed to believe that it will be “years” before the regime is weakened enough to lose. This sentiment was shared by even those in the opposition that I spoke to. Syrians inside the country seem to be well aware of the might of the Syrian army and the security services. Perhaps this is why the hardcore elements of the opposition are pleading for foreign intervention. I think that it is highly unlikely that the regime will lose to the opposition without some form of foreign intervention and/or the Russians turning their back. Niether appears to be on the horizon.
Talk of corruption and cronyism were on everyone’s lips. This subject has been the source of much of the anger that motivates the opposition. On the last day of my visit to Syria, I heard an analogy to describe the present condition of the regime that struck me as particularly apt. It went like this:
Bashar is driving a bus packed with passengers. Many have been on that bus for years. Those closest to him occupy the front rows of the bus. The uprising is about new faces who also want to board the packed bus. But, for them to jump in, the driver has to throw some of the current passengers of the bus to make room. Bashar looks in the rear view mirror. Who should he pick to throw off the bus? The old Baathists? Members of the Qiyadeh al-Qutriya (The Baath Regional Leadership)? Members of the family? But those are the people who have stuck with him and helped him survive for nearly a year when few gave him a chance. Does it make any sense to throw aside his loyalists and let in new faces who are publicly asking for his head? Any rationale driver will stay the course as he realizes that changing the driver and turning over the whole bus are the true motivations of his enemies.
During one extremely interesting gathering, I was struck by how politically savvy nearly every Syrian has become. The most interesting and passionate remarks I had heard on this trip came from the women who I met. During this same dinner, I asked what if anything could Bashar have done differently?
“When the opposition wanted the regime to pull back a step, he should have pulled back four. With the extra space at their disposal, there was more room for them to debate and argue amongst each other leaving the leadership with more time and breathing space to contemplate their next move”.
I know that I speak for 23 million other Syrians when I worry about where this country is heading. Years ago, I used to speak of buckling our seat belts. Since the crisis started, I have referred to the country having entered a long black tunnel. As we approach the first year anniversary of these events, I wonder where in the dark tunnel we find ourselves. My pessimistic nature tells me that we are still at its beginning.
Comments (214)
Ghassan Karam said:
Ehsani,
You have done a fantastic job in this report. It was well written objective, concerned and informative.
I am not sure that we are at the early stages of the tunnel though. We might be but revolutionary paths ,just like any other social development, cannot be predicted with precision but it is the direction that counts. This current regime is bankrupt and will eventually be held responsible by the people for the half a century lost on practically all fronts but above all on the human and social justice scale. The Syrian citizens, like the ex Soviet union counter parts, have had enough abuse , lies and promises unkept. They will continue to stand tall for their dignity and they will get it. When would that be? Obviously I am not sure but it could be next month in the same way that it could be 3 years from now. My point is that it is a useless exercise to try to fine a semi exact time. That is crucial is that we are heading there and obviously the sooner the better.
The current regime has the power to fight and has the guns but they would need to shoot more than half the population to stay in power. The more power they use the less support that they will have. Just like the student that you encountered and the women and Taxi driver have either said outloud or intimated it the Syrian uprising cannot go back. The only ultimate losers besides the ruling clan would be the crass and vulgar traders similar to the one you have encountered simply because they are unprincipled.
I would like also to disagree about the dating of this uprising. I understand the courage of the young boys of Daraa who scrawled their Graffiti on the walls on March 6, 2011 and possibly ignited this uprising but I am not willing to dismiss or ignore the tremendous sacrifice of Hasan Akleh who set himself on fire, in Al Hasakah on January 26, 2011. His act is arguably the first major act of defiance to the bankrupt Syrian Ba’ath. So to me the uprising is already over one year old.
January 31st, 2012, 5:37 pm
Afram said:
What exactly is SFA?
syrian free army?oh heck no! why the heck not hancock???
FSA…stand for..Sunni Fascism Agents
thanks hancock
January 31st, 2012, 5:45 pm
Tara said:
I fear Jaafari may be getting an acute heart attack soon. He looked very very stressed listening to Prince Hamad. NYC is the best place to get an MI. Lenox Hill hospital or NYU next door can balloon him right away with awesome door to balloon time. Prince Hamad looks better in suite. I liked his speech. He called it as it is. He described slitting throats and murdering children. I like it when people calling thing by their name.
Ah..Arabi saying thatbthe mission was put on hold because the regime declared it’s choice of security solution in the open.
January 31st, 2012, 5:54 pm
SANDRO LOEWE said:
Ehsani, you forgot or ignored the most essential dilemmas:
DEMOCRACY versus DICTATORSHIP
LEGALITY versus CORRUPTION
Sunni versus Alawi
Poor versus rich
Rural versus urban
Homs and Hama versus Aleppo and Damascus
Baathists versus Non-Baathists
Religious versus Secular
Saudi Arabia versus Iran
USA versus Russia
January 31st, 2012, 6:00 pm
ARON said:
Amazing work, Ehsani.
January 31st, 2012, 6:03 pm
Tara said:
Aljaafari is speaking and quoting Nizar. I can’t stand him quoting Nizar. Cry me a river. He is once again like his bosses trying to “enchant” us with Arab nationalism claiming that he gave up his allowance to the gulf states causes before the petrodollar poured in. Now he talks about Damascus Yasmeen. Oh, please spare me. He states that Syria belongs to all Syrian (not the farm of Assad butchers). He is invoking the palestinian cause. No kidding? What happened to the rabbit of Jolan! Assad in Libnan? …Now talking about not being a puppet state. Right! Being a puppet to Iran and Russia is what exactly?
He is telling us Assad is supported by majority Syrians, said who? Free election? Ah, I remember, it was the FB poll posted on SC.
I can’t stand him anymore. I will tune out.
January 31st, 2012, 6:13 pm
sooriyahurra said:
Watching some syria official media, syrians officials seems really afraid of qatar and hamad.
I think theyre right, he has money and power
January 31st, 2012, 6:53 pm
Amir in Tel Aviv said:
Thank you Ehsani!
The The Aleppo “$20 million a year” businessman: “…We want stability (..) We care about stability and justice”.
What justice?
“…The corruption there is mind boggling, I am quickly told. Judges pay between SYP 5 and 10 million to get the job. Every case can be negotiated and priced with his “kateb” (clerk) outside”.
Of course, If your turnover is $20 Million a year, this is the kind of “justice” you would look for.
.
January 31st, 2012, 7:14 pm
Afram said:
Syrian oppos bozos are Searching under the lamp-post!!
The joke is familiar. Man searches diligently under lamp-post at night. Explains to passer-by that he has lost his keys.Did you lose them under the lamp-post?“No.” Then why are you looking under the lamp-post?“Because there’s no light anywhere else.”
This argument has a certain zany logic to it.
The opposition jet setting bozos&divas are searching and seeking a solution to the current syrian crisis at the wrong venues and corners.
heh,falafal stand owners,the majority syrians are demanding a quick solution on their turf-the motherland is big enough for all,common down for real political dialogue,otherwise the rogues among the bozos would and could push the syrians&syria into the Abyss…what a hell of a place,dark and cold,muslim brotherhoods should be kicked out off the council,the efffs are nasty
January 31st, 2012, 7:20 pm
Observer said:
Ehsani welcome back and please take a moment and tell us a few things more:
1. What was it like at the airport coming in and out?
2. Did you enter as a Syrian or a another nationality? Does it matter?
3. Are people going out and eating out? Or is it dead after 5
4. What of checkpoints and barricades and trigger nervous guards?
5. What do people watch on TV, Aldoonia or Aljazeera or France 24 or have tuned out completely?
6. Are people paying their bills?
7. Is there electricity cuts?
8. What about smuggling has it thrived?
9. Is true that criminality is rampant?
Do you have a sense of anyone in charge of any clear and discernible strategy to stabilize the country or is it only survival mode that we are in.
10. What of the rumors of the gold reserves being moved out of the central bank and of stockpiling of weapons in certain areas?
11. What about the racism of some on either side against the other and in here I ask regardless of sect or religious affiliation or of political inclination. Is there now a dehumanization of the other on either side that is allowing for horrific acts of violence? If so who is if any more culpable?
12. Some on this blog assert without any scientific evidence or proper argument that the ruling minority has a bleak future in Syria if the regime falls; do you agree about this?
13. How careful were you in breaching subjects and were you afraid of asking certain questions?
On a different note several things from your post point out some points:
1. The judiciary has been gutted completely and needs to be rebuilt from the ground up no matter what the outcome is
2. The services are likewise completely gutted by corruption and will need years of reform and rebuilding
3. The Syrian National Identity is coming back to the fore just after the independence except for a hard core group in more than one minority that are fearful of change.
4. If corruption is that prevalent I wonder whether loyalty is assured to the regime. In my opinion and after the 2003 invasion of Iraq the regime was not even sure of whether it can maintain the loyalty of its troops and security personnel in the face of so much corruption and graft and the temptation to be bribed becoming irresistible.
I listened to the debate at UN SC and I am not sure how to read it and what conclusions to make. I am not objective in this but I think the Syrian regime came out a little weaker and the Russian position could not dismiss the changes made to the Morocco resolution as they addressed some of the concerns. I wonder whether the opposition would counter propose a meeting outside of Moscow in a neutral country like India perhaps where they can meet the VP to discuss the Arab league initiative and thereby allowing the Russians to save face and allowing for the initiative to start with Sharaa’ conducting the dialogue while leaving the President to ceremonial duties.
It is time that some real adults on either side wake up for the tunnel is long and dark and filled with rats and germs.
January 31st, 2012, 8:09 pm
jad said:
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???? ??????? ??? ?? «???? ?? ???? ?? ?????? ?? ???? ?? ????? ?????». ???? «?????? ???? ???? ??? ??? ?? ???. ????? ????? ??? ??????? ??? ????? ????? ????? ?? ?? ??????? ?? ??? ??? ?????»? ????? «??? ??????? ??? ??????? ?????? ?? ??? ?? ????? ?? ????? ?????? ??? ???????? ??????? ???????».
????? ??????? ?? ????? ????? ???????? ??????? ?? ????? «???? ??? ??? ?? ??????? ?? ????? ????????? ???? ?????. ?? ???????? ??? ???? ??????? ???? ???? ?????? ??? ???? ??? ????? ????????. ??? ?? ???? ???? ???? ??? ?? ??????? ??????? ???????? ?????? ??? ?? ?????».
???? ?? «???????? ??????? ???? ??? ??? ????? ???????? ??? ????? ??? ????? ??? ???? ???????? ????? ???????? ??????????. ??? ????? ???? ??? ??? ???? ?????????. ????? ????? ???????? ????? ??? ????? ??? ???? ????????? ??? ???? ????? ?????? ???? ???? ?? ????? ??????? ?? ???? ?????????».
????? «????? ?? ???? ?????? ?? ??????? ???????? ????? ?? ????????? (??????? ?????????) ?????? ???????? ??? ????? ?????? ???? ?? ??? ???? ?????? ????? ?? ?? ????? ??????? ??? ?? ????? ??????? ???????. ?????? ?? ???? ?????? ?????. ????? ????? ?????? ??? ????? ???? ??? ?????? ????? ??? ?????? ??????? ??? ???? ???? ?? ????? ?????? ?????? ???? ???. ?????? ?? ????? ?????? ???? ???????». ????? «?? ???? ?? ???? ????? ?????? ?? ?????? ???? ?????? ?? ???? ?????? ?? ????????. ?? ??? ??? ????? ??????? ????????. ??????? ???? ??? ?????? ???????».
???? «????? ??? (????? ?????? ???????) ??? ??????? ???? ???? ?? ??????? ???? ????? ??? ?????». ????? «???? ??? ????? ?????? ??? ????? ???? ??????? ???????? ??? ??? ??? ??? ???? ?? ????? ?????». ”
{…}
http://www.assafir.com/Article.aspx?EditionId=2065&articleId=116&ChannelId=49107
January 31st, 2012, 8:11 pm
irritated said:
Observer #9
This is your first intelligible and coherent post. Welcome to the world of sanity.
“I wonder whether the opposition would counter propose a meeting outside of Moscow in a neutral country like India perhaps where they can meet the VP to discuss the Arab league initiative and thereby allowing the Russians to save face and allowing for the initiative to start with Sharaa’ conducting the dialogue while leaving the President to ceremonial duties. “
January 31st, 2012, 8:24 pm
irritated said:
A slogan straight from ‘occupied Kafranabanel”. Anyone know where that is? Obviously their translator is an agriculture graduate.
http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2012/1/27/1327672704992/Kafranabel.jpg
January 31st, 2012, 8:29 pm
jad said:
Lots of post today on Dr. Abukhalil were on Syria, the oppositions and of course the media (western and gulf):
http://angryarab.blogspot.com/
Child molestation by the Syrian regime
I heard part of the speech of the British foreign minister in which he accused the regime of child molestation. I mean, when Western governments decide to attack an Arab or Muslim country, all claims are possible. There is never any need to provide evidence for any claims made against that particular regime. You can say or claim anything. I am waiting for a few weeks to start hearing that the Syrian regime also has nuclear weapons and that it has mobile units to make WMDs.
Posted by As’ad AbuKhalil
Vindicated
I tell people I know about Syria: my suspicions that the Syrian National Council is dominated by Ikhwan and that it would only serve as a tool of Saudi Arabia and Qatar (and Israel behind them) have been proven right. I knew all along that this council would really only betray the Syrian people and their justified uprising and that it would basically guarantee that its model of government would be as bad as the Asad regime–if not worse.
Posted by As’ad AbuKhalil
Lies of the Syrian opposition
When will there be an article in the Columbia Journalism Review about the lousy Western media coverage of Syria? What about the claim that the Syrian “rebels” arrested 3 (just three) members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards who were allegedly participating in the repression in Syria–as if the repressive regime needs advice and help in repression? Of course, it turned out that the three were none other than those Iranian engineers who were kidnapped in Syria weeks earlier. Will the lousy Western media ever expose or reveal one lie by the Syrian opposition? One lie, not two? And what about their claims that Hizbullah fighters are also participating in the killing? I mean, if they tomorrow claim that Cuban soldiers were shooting in Syria, I am sure that the Western media would publish the claim and bring a terrorism expert to confirm. I must confess, I have never seen a worse coverage of Arab affairs like I have seen in the coverage of Syria in the last few months. It is more blatantly propagandistic than the coverage that led to the American invasion of Iraq. I mean, at one point, a Lebanese Army truck was passing in a street in Damascus, and Syrian National Council websites and Saudi media published the picture and claimed that Lebanese Army soldiers are also participating in repression in Syria. The Lebanese Army had to issue a statement to explain what that lone truck was doing in Damascus.
Posted by As’ad AbuKhalil
Gene Sharp trained them on the use of RPGs in Homs
It is hilarious that the same Saudi media that insisted all along that all manifestations of protests in Syria are peaceful now brandish pictures of armed protesters. And notice that they insist that every armed person is part of the “Free Syrian Army”. This is from the mouthpiece of Prince Salman, Ash-Sharq Al-Awsat.
Posted by As’ad AbuKhalil
The scandal of the Arab League Monitors
This is a scandal. It really is and won’t be covered because the Western and Arab (Saudi and Qatari-funded) media won’t report on it. Basically, the GCC-led Arab League created an Arab monitoring group in Syria and the idea was supported by the Syrian National Council. When the report of the group came out against the wishes of the GCC and its Western patrons, it was simply canceled and they simply moved to plan B. No explanation was given and no attempt to even release and discuss the report. The report was attacked in Saudi and Qatari media before it was even released, and the staging of the “defector” from the group was part of the propaganda operation.
Posted by As’ad AbuKhalil
Flash: fight on Aljazeera live broadcast
On the widely watched Al-Ittijah Al-Mu`akis on Aljazeera Arabic, a debate between a Lebanese supporter of the Syrian regime and an opponent of the Syrian regime degenerated into yelling at obscenities and then into an actual fight. The live broadcast was interrupted by the network. A Youtube moment will soon follow. Just now.
PS Here is the video.
http://youtu.be/qSwvWs0bnHk
Posted by As’ad AbuKhalil
The Agenda of the Syrian National Council
“Haitham Maleh, a member of the executive committee of the Syrian National Council, told The Daily Telegraph that Mr Assad had forfeited any chance of a peaceful exit from Syria as a result of his regime’s brutal crackdown on protesters. The former judge, who has spent decades in Syrian prisons for his human rights activism, predicted that Mr Assad, his wife and three children would be killed in revenge for his failure to respond positively to peaceful demands for change. “Assad and his family will be killed in Syria, their next steps will be very bloody,” he said. “Two months ago we offered him the option to leave us alone and go but instead he went for the blood of his people. The end for him will be that he is killed like Gaddafi.””
Posted by As’ad AbuKhalil
January 31st, 2012, 8:29 pm
Ehsani said:
Dear Observer,
1- It was very easy and super ordinary at both arrival and departure.
2- I did enter as Syrian. It would make little difference if I had used my foreign passport.
3- I did go out almost every night. But, I never ventured outside the center. The crowds were smaller than usual. Restaurants which are a little further out saw very little activity. Many are afraid of armed elements who would demand money if they stop the car. Inside the center of Aleppo, I felt safe enough to return home as late as 1 or 2 am many times.
4- I saw zero checkpoints in the city or around the airport. I did not venture outside the city though. I travelled to Damascus by plane to avoid the highway passing through idlib.
5- They watch all of the above. The pro-crowd watch aldoonia. The government has tried to scramble the Aljazeera and Alarabiya. My sister was able to find another satellite however.
6- People are paying the bills in Aleppo. I heard that this is not the case in Idlib and around Homs.
7- Yes. Electricity is cut at least 3 hours a day. On more than one occasions, it was 5 hours. It is totally unpredictable and this drives people crazy.
8- Smuggling will always thrive with profit potential so huge and the customs service infested with corruption.
9- Yes, criminality is on everyone’s mind. Ransom, kidnapping, stealing. I heard various stories but I did not experience any myself. It is survival mode, yes.
10- I pay little attention to such unsubstantiated rumors.
11- Yes. Without a doubt. I have talked about this “dehumanization” of your opponent for a long time as many of my friends know.
12- I absolutely agree with this. My meeting with the soldier confirmed this. Nearly everyone I talked to thinks that Alawis will get slaughtered if the regime falls.
13- I have no idea why I was not more afraid. I often received shocked stares when I asked questions. Many took minutes to warm up and get engaged.
14- Corruption is rampant. I detest it. It is due to the extremely low salaries. But, the cronyism and corruption at the top is disgusting. There is no other way to describe it.
January 31st, 2012, 8:34 pm
Aldendeshe said:
“I wonder whether the opposition would counter propose a meeting outside of Moscow in a neutral country like India perhaps where they can meet the VP to discuss the Arab league initiative …”
No, not this Baathist crap again…go for the big gun.
January 31st, 2012, 8:35 pm
irritated said:
Jad
After these sadistic public threats on Bashar al Assad and his family, I don’t think that Haitham al Maleh will ever see Syria again. I also think he should immediately ask the SNC and Qatar to pay for his bodyguards as he is no more safe, where ever he is.
January 31st, 2012, 8:41 pm
ford prefect said:
Excellent, heartfelt and timely report, Ehsani! Thanks and I’m grateful for your safe return. What a mess and what a dark and long tunnel.
January 31st, 2012, 8:47 pm
jad said:
Irritated
He doesn’t need any bodyguard, he is already 80yo!
January 31st, 2012, 8:48 pm
irritated said:
#16. Ehsani
Overall , except for nuisances like the electricity cuts (Beirut has still 4 -6 hours a day cut), the precautions about thieves and mugging and some areas to avoid (like any western capital), the poverty and begging disguised in what you call ‘corruption’, it seems that it is very far from a country under an international siege.
It is neither Tripoli nor Benghazi described by the Youtube reporters. I guess Damascus is the same.
Thanks, it is quite reassuring…
January 31st, 2012, 8:52 pm
irritated said:
#20 jad said
“He doesn’t need any bodyguard, he is already 80yo!’
Now I understand, these are signs of a senile dementia.
January 31st, 2012, 8:56 pm
Ghufran said:
Ehsani,
Thank you for the excellent observations,I admire your courage and common sense,
I was particularly moved by the story about the driver talking about his kids asking for Farrouj,we all have the moral obligation to help our fellow Syrians regardless of where they stand politically.
I would love to hear your thoughts about what ,in your opinion,might be the least bloody way out of this mess.
January 31st, 2012, 8:58 pm
Ghufran said:
???? ????? “????” ???????? ?? ????? ????????? ?????? ????? ??? ????? ???? ??????? ?????? ?????? ?? ??? ??????? ????? “??????” ?? ?? ????? ?? “????? ?????? ?????? ? ??????” ??????? ?????? ???????.
?????? ??????? ??? ?? ????? ???? ????? ?? ??????? ???????? ?? ???????? ???????? ????? ??????? ?? ????? ????? ????? ?? ??????? ???? ????? ????? ???????? ???????? ??? ????? ????? ????? ????? ????? ????? ??? ???????? ????????? ???? ????? ??????? ???????? ????????? ??????? ?????? ???????.
????? ??????? ?? ???????? ?????? ??? ???? ????? ???? ??? ??? ??????? ??????? ??????? ?? ????? ?????? ???????? ???????? ???? ???? ?????? ????? ???? ????? ?????? ????? ???????? ?????? ????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ???????? ????? ?????? ???? ?????.
????? “????” ?? ???? ???????? ???????? ??????? ??? ??????? ?????? ? ?????? ??? ????? ?????? ????? ??????? ??????? ???? ?????? ????? ??????? ???? ???????? ?????? ??? ?? ???? ?? ???? ???? ???????? ??????? ???? ???? ????? ??????.
???? ?????? ?????????? ?????? ?????? ??????? ????? ??? “??????” ?????? ??????? ???? ??? ??? ?????? ?????? ???????? ??? ???? ?? ???????? ??????? ???? ??? ?????? ?? ??? ?????? ??????? ??????. ???? ???????.
?????? ??????? ?? ?????? ????? ????? ??????? ??????? ?? ???? ????????? ????? ??????? ??? ?????? ??? ??? ?????? ???????? ?? ??????? ????? ??? ?????? ?????? ?????? ??????? ?????? ????? ????? ??? ???????? ??????? ???? ????? ?????? ?????? “????? ?????” ???????? ????????.
January 31st, 2012, 9:18 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
Ehsani
Thank for sharing with us your experience,Would you tell us if there is difference between Aleppo and Damascus as far as people responses.
I believe people in Damascus are saying it will take till june,
January 31st, 2012, 9:18 pm
Syrian Prometheus said:
Dear Ehsani,
Upon reflecting on the information you have provided, and examining similar posts elsewhere (http://7ee6an.wordpress.com/2012/01/29/from-syria-with-by-true/), one notices a recurring, unpleasant theme.
The older, established generation is like a tired old animal; it does not want to go out of its way in search of a better life. The older merchants (what passes for middle class) have had their dignity thoroughly stamped upon by the rulers since the 1960s. They are afraid and they are comfortable in their complacency. In their minds, it is better to settle for mediocrity than sail into an unknown future where the possibility of a better existence may exist.
The French Revolution gave birth to one of the most horrific periods of blood-thirsty instabilities in history. Yet, out of the destruction and misery that ensued, some of the most enduring inspirations emerged: Liberté, égalité, fraternité.
Are we so scared that we cannot dream of something better for our progeny? If so, we are a bunch of miserable cowards who deserve worse than what we have now.
Yet. Yet, it seems that some of the younger Syrians still need something resembling liberty. Dignity. A chance at happiness.
So, is liberty not important? Is self-determination a worthless pursuit? I really don’t think so. If the older generation are happy to be like pigs at the trough, good for them. But, the young and the unborn deserve better. Syria deserves better.
And, anyone who cannot understand this needs to go, starting with the Assad clan.
Revolution? Chaos? Pain? Ask your mother how she felt while giving birth to you. She will tell you the pain goes away and God’s gift (you) remains.
Here is what Charles Dickens said about the aftermath of the French Revolution:
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way.”
“I see a beautiful city and a brilliant people rising from this abyss, and, in their struggles to be truly free, in their triumphs and defeats, through long years to come, I see the evil of this time and of the previous time of which this is the natural birth, gradually making expiation for itself and wearing out.”
?- Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities
January 31st, 2012, 9:24 pm
zoo said:
Under Qatar’s umbrella, the return of the Jamaa al- slamiya
Hamas and al-Jamaa al-Islamiya: The New MB Look
http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/hamas-and-al-jamaa-al-islamiya-new-mb-look
…
If all goes to plan, al-Jamaa al-Islamiya, according to those who run things in the region, is supposed to play a dual role.
First, it will support the Syrian revolution and provide more services to incoming Syrian refugees. Some go to the extent of saying that this includes preparing for the creation of safe areas on the border, particularly in the northern parts of Lebanon.
In addition, it must act to withdraw the legitimacy of the title of resistance from Hezbollah, even though everyone knows this would create a conflict as bad as toppling the Syrian regime or a little worse. Nevertheless, there are people in agencies of the Lebanese state, in the broken-legged Future Movement, and in the Salafists societies, who can contribute to that, if they have not already begun preparing for it.
January 31st, 2012, 9:25 pm
Ghufran said:
????? ??????
This about the FSA
http://www.alquds.co.uk/index.asp?fname=today%5C31qpt999.htm&arc=data%5C2012%5C01%5C01-31%5C31qpt999.htm
January 31st, 2012, 9:26 pm
Tara said:
There’s no longer any expectation inside the administration that Moscow will support international action aimed at removing Assad from power, even by non-military means. But the U.N. confrontation is meant to isolate Russia diplomatically and make it clear that the Arab League and its Western friends have exhausted all diplomatic options before moving to directly aid the internal opposition, if that decision is ultimately made.
…read more:
http://thecable.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2012/01/30/clinton_heads_to_the_un_for_confrontation_on_syria
January 31st, 2012, 9:30 pm
ss said:
majedkhaldounsaid:
“I believe people in Damascus are saying it will take till june’
Hahahaha. This is the statement of the day. Will give you till July, and take August as well.
January 31st, 2012, 9:36 pm
Ghufran said:
?????? ? ??? ???????? ???????? ???????? ??? ????? ??????? ?? ??????? ????????? ???????? ?? ????? ???????? ????????? ???????? ??????? “?? ??? ???????”.
???? ????? ???? ??? ?? ???? ????????? ?????????? ????? ???????? ????????? ????????? “????? ?? ????? ?? ??? ????? ??? ?????? ???? ????? ??? ???? ???? ???? ?? ?????? ?? ???? ???????? ?????? ????? ????????? ?????? ?? ?????? ???????” ??? ????.
????? ?? ?? ??? ???? ??? ???????? ???? ???? ?? ?????? ?????? ???????? ??????? “?????? ?? ???? ?????? ??? ??? ??? ?? ??? ???????”.
???? ?????? ???????? ?????? ?? ???? ???????? ???????? ?? ???? ??????? ?? ??? ????? “?? ????? ???” ????? ???????? ????????? ????????? ????????? ?? “??????? ?????????? ????????? ????????” ?????? ?? ?????
??????.
????? “??? ???? ??????? ?????? ??????? ???????? ????????? ?? ??? ?????”.
WASHINGTON — Republican US Senator Dick Lugar, one of his party’s elder statesmen on foreign policy, cautioned Tuesday against providing US aid to Syria’s opposition “at this point.”
“I think for the time being we should back our ambassador, who I think is doing a great job of witnessing what is occurring, informing us and European countries or others who are interested,” Lugar told reporters.
“But I would not advocate action beyond that at this point,” said the senator, who had been asked what help Washington could provide to the opposition to President Bashar al-Assad amid a bloody months-long crackdown.
Lugar, the top Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, warned that it would be “very difficult” to identify potential recipients of US help among the “tribes, regional groups of all sorts” and other foes of the regime.
“We’re not really prepared to pick and choose winners and losers in that situation,” said the lawmaker.
His comments came as Syria’s opposition urged the global community to act, deploring its failure to stop “massacres,” ahead of a showdown at the UN Security Council over a resolution aimed at halting the violence.
January 31st, 2012, 9:38 pm
ss said:
29.
“But the U.N. confrontation is meant to isolate Russia diplomatically and make it clear that the Arab League and its Western friends have exhausted all diplomatic options”
hahahahahahahaaaaaaa
The opposition are delivering the kokes of the day. They make me laugh.
Isolate Russia….dont you want to add China,,,,how about Brazil…how about India….Is the plan to isolate half the world. This is a bigh blow to he MBs.
Majed, I will give you till September. lol
January 31st, 2012, 9:44 pm
Mina said:
Zoo,
About the jama’a al islamiyya, one of the old salafi current in Egypt, the Salafis have just won the “education commitee” of the newly elected parliament. The end of the tunnel is getting further.
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/33333/Egypt/Politics-/Freedom-and-Justice-Party-heads-most-of-Egypts-par.aspx
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/3/12/33378/Business/Economy/Quarter-of-Egyptians-now-living-in-poverty-State-d.aspx
Thank you so much Ehsani for this report. I am amazed at the naivety of some comments who believe in accountability for heads of states… Was the Shah held accountable of anything? Was Bush junior?
The state of corruption of the judiciary system is a good example of why what is needed from day one was IDEAS and not simply attacks on “Bashar, his wife and kids”.
January 31st, 2012, 9:46 pm
jad said:
«?????? ???????» ???????? ??? ?????? ????????
?????? ??????????? ??????????? ???? ?????? ????? ???? ????? ??? ?????? ??? ????? ???? ??????: ????? ??????? ?????? ???????? ?????????? ??????? ???? ??? ???? ??? ???? ?? ????? ?????
???? ????
??????? | ?????? ??????? ?????? ??????? ?? ???????? ???? ???? ???? ???? ?? ??? ?????? ???? ?????? ??? ?????? ??? ?? ??? ??? ????? ???? ?????? ????????? ??????. ??? ??? ????? ????? ???? ?????? ??? ?? ??????? ?? ??? ????? ??????? ?? ???? ?????? ??? ?????? ??? ?????? ?? ???? ?????? ??? ???? ???? ????? ?????? ????? 1973? ??????? ????? ??????? ????? ????? ??? ???? ???? ????? ?????? ???????? ???? ??? ?? 3 ?? ??????? ???? ???? ??? ???? ?? ?????? ?? ?????? ???????? ???? ?? ???? ???? ?????? ????????? ???? ????? ?? ??????.
???? ????? ????? ??? ????? ??????? ?????? ???????? ?? ???? ????? ?? ?????????? ?? ????? ???? ?? ???? ?? ?????? ??? ??? ????? ????? ????? ???????? ???? «???? ?? ???? ?? ??? ??????? ???? ?? ?? ?????? ??? ??????? ???? ?? ????????? ????????». ?? ??? ??????? ????? ????? ?????? ???? ?????? ??????? ????? ??? ???? ??? ????? ?? ?? ??? ???? ?? ??? ??????? ??? ??? ?????? ???? ???????? ??? ?? ??? ?????. ??????? ?????? ?????? ?? ?????? ?? ????? ?????? ????? ????? ?????? ?? ???????? ????????.
??????? ???????: «????? ?????? ???? ?? ??????? ??? ??? ??? ?? ??????? ???????? ????? ???????? ??????? ???????? ??? ??? ?? ???? ???? ??? ?????». ???? ????? ????? ??????? ?????? ???? ????? ?????? ???? ???? ????? ??????? ???? ??????? ???????? ???????? ??????? ?? ???? ?????? ????????? ?? ??? ????? ?????? ?????.
????? ????? ???? ???? ????? ?????????? ?????? ???? ??? ????? ????? ???????? ?? ???????? ???? ????? ?? ??????? ??????? ?? ????? ???? ????????? ?????? ???? ???? ???? ????? ??? ??? ?? ???? ?? ??? ?? ???? ????? ?????? ????? ??? ????? ?????. ??? ????? ???? ??????? ???? ??????? ???? ??? ????? ???????? ??????? ??????? ??????? ??? ??????? ??????? ??????? ??? ????? ????? ??????? ?? ???????? ????????? «????????? ??????»? ?? ????? ??? ?? ??????? ???????? ??? ??? ????? ?????? ?? ?????? ???????? ????? ??????? ??? ??????? ??????? ?????? ????? ?? ??????? ???????? ?? ?????? ???????. ???? ??? ??????? ???????? ????? ???? ???? ??? ??????? ????? ??? ???????? ???????????? ??? ??? ???? ??? ????? ??????? ????? ????????. ??? ??? ???? ??????? ??????? ???? ???????? ???????? ??? ????? ?????? ?? ?????? ??????? ?? ??????? ??????? ??? ?? ???? ????? ??????????? ??????? ?????? ?? ????? ?? ?????? ??????? ????? ????.
??? ??? ?? ???? ??? ??????? ?????? ??? ?????? ?????? ?????? ????? ?? ?????? ????? ??? ?? ??? ?????? ????? ???? ????? ??????? ??????? ?????? ???????? «?????? ???????». ???? ?? ??? ???????? ?? ?????? ?? ?? ???? «???? ?????? ???? ??????? ??????? ??? ????? ???????? ???????»? ??? ??? ????? ???????. ???? ???? ???? ??????? ?????? ????? ???? ??????? ??????? ????? ?? ???????? ?? ????? «??????». ???? ??? ??? ????? ??? ??? ???? ?????? ??????? ?? ????? ??????. ???? ??????? ??????? ??? ???? ????? ????? ?????? ??????? ?? ?????? ????? ?? ????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ???? ??????. ??? ???? ????? ??????? ???? ??????? ???? ?? ??????? ?????? ????? ??????? ??? ?????? ??????? ???? ???? ?????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ??? ????????? ???? ????? ??? ???????. ??? ??? ??????? ????? ??????? ??? ?????? ??????? ??? ????? ???? ????? ?????? ?????. ??? ?? ????? ??????? ????? ???? ???? ??????? ???? ????? ????? ???? ????? ??? ??????? ????? ??????? ??????? ???? ???. ???? ????? ?????? ????? ?????? ?????? ?? ?? ???? ???? ??????? ??? ??? ??? ?????.
??? ??? ??????? ?????? ?? ???????? ??? ???? ????????? ???????? ???????? ????????? ?? ??? ??????? ?????? ????? ??? ?? ??????????? ??? ?? ??? ??«????????» ?????? ??????? ???? ??? ???.
????? ???????? ????????? ????? ???? ??????? ?? ???????? ??????? ????? ?????: ????? ??????? ??????? ???? ????? ???????? ????? ?? ????? ?????? ?? ???? ????? ?????? ?? ???? ??????? ??? ?? ???????. ???????? ??????? ??????? ???? ?????? ?????? ?? ??? ??? ??? ??? ????? ????? ?? ?????? ???? ?? ??? ??? ????? ?????? ??????? ??? ????? ???????? ????? ????? ??? ?? ???? ???? ?????? ??????? ???????? ??? ????????? ??? ????? ????? ?? ?? ??? ???. ???? ???? ???? ??? ?????? ?????? ?????? ???? ????? ?????? ??????? ?????? ????? ?????? ????? ?? ??? ???????? ??????? ??????? ?????? ???? ?????? ????? ?? ??? ??????? ????? ??? ????? ?????? ??????? ???? ?????? ????? ?? ?????. ?? ???? ???? ???? «??? ???? ??????? ?? ???? ????? ???????? ????? ??? ??? ?????. ?? ?? ??? (?? ????? ??????) ???? ????? ?????? ??? ???? ????? ??? ??????? ??????? ?????? ??????????? ???? ?????? ??????? ??????? ?????? ??? ??????? ???????». ??? ???? ?? ???? ????? ???????? ????????? ?? ???????? ??????? ????????? ?????? ?????????? ????? ?? ?????? ????? ??????? ??????? ???? ?????? ????? ????? ???? ????? ???? ????? ?? ??????? ?? ????????? ?????? ??????? ?? ?????? ????? ?????? ???????? ???? ???? ??????? ?? ??? ????? ???? ?? ??? ??????? ?????? ??? ????? ???? ????????? ?? ????? ??????? ????? ????? ???????? ??? ??????? ?? ??? ??????? ??? ???? ??? ???? ????? ?????. ???????? ???? ???? ????? ????? ?????? ??? ????? ?????? ???? ????????? ????? ????? ??? ?????? ??????? ??????? ?? ?????? ??? ??? ?????? ?? ????? ?????? ?????? ???????? ?????? ?????? ????? ?? ??????? ???? ???? ???????? ?????. ??? ??????? ?? ????? ????????? ???? ???? ???????? ??????????? ????? ?? ?????? ???????? ????? ????? «?????? ????????» ?? ???? ????? ???
http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/34155
January 31st, 2012, 9:47 pm
Mina said:
Today’s development at the UN can be followed here:
http://www.innercitypress.com/syria5lasbowl013112.html
January 31st, 2012, 10:02 pm
jad said:
Thank you Mina.
Ghufran,
Alakhbar publishing a series of articles talking about the armed militias too:
????? ????? ????? ????? «????? ?????? ????» ?? ????? ???? ????? ??? ???? ??????????? ???????? ?? ?? ????. ?????? ??????? ???? ???????? ???????? ????? ?????????. ??????? ?? ???????? ????????? ?????? ??????? ????? ???????? ?«???????»? ??????? ?????? ????????? ?? ??????? ?????? ?????? ??? ?????. ?????? ???? ?????? ?????? ????? ???? ??? ????? ?????? ???? ???? ???? ??????? ???????? ??«????? ?????»
http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/34134
January 31st, 2012, 10:05 pm
bronco said:
Jad
I guess no one can blame Russia to exercise its veto power on a UNSC resolution to protect its ally Syria
From 1972 to 2002 the USA has vetoed more than 100 resolutions mostly to protect its ally Israel
For the same period Russia has vetoed 2 resolutions.
January 31st, 2012, 10:10 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
Ghufran
http://alquds.co.uk/index.asp?fname=today\31qpt961.htm&arc=data\201211-31\31qpt961.htm
God bless the FSA,
I agree forming goverment by the SNC is the next step, I mentioned that before, then going to the united nation for recognition,and this will put tremendous pressure on Russia,and legitimize the FSA
Ehsani
Considering what you saw how the syrian economy is,Do you really think it will take more than six months?
January 31st, 2012, 10:11 pm
Mina said:
Majed,
Look at Somalia, it can extend on years!
January 31st, 2012, 10:13 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
??????? ??????: ???? ????? ???? ?? ????? ???? ????? ??????? ??????? ?????? ?? ?????? ????? ??????
???? ??????
2012-01-31
????? ? ‘????? ??????’: ???? ????? ??????? ?????? ?? ?????????? ????? ?????? ???? ?? ????? ?????? ?????? ??? ???? ?? ??? ?????? ???? ????? ????? ???????? ??? ???? ??????? ??? ??? ?????? ???? ?? ????? ?????? ?????? ????? ?? ????? ??????.
????? ?????? ?????? ?? ??????? ?????? ??????? ?? ????? ???????? ?? ????? ??????? ????? ????? ?????? ??? ???? ???? ?????? ?? ????? ??????? ????? ????? ????? ??? ??????? ?? ??? ??????? ?????? ???? ???? ????? ????????? ?????? ???????? ??????? ?????? ???? ?? ???? ???? ??? ?????? ???? ???????? ??????? ?? ????? ???? ????? ??? ????? ???? ??? ?? ????? ??? ?????????? ???? ??? ????? ??????.
????? ??? ?????? ????? ??????? ?? ????? ?????? ?????? ??? ????? ?????? ?? ??? ???? ???? ???? ??? ?????? ??????? ???? ??? ????? ??????? ???? ?? ????? ???? ?? ??????. ?????? ??? ???????????? ??:
-??????? ??? ??????? ?? ??? ????????? ??? ????? ????? ??????? ??? ????? ??????? ????? ??????? ???????? ???? ??? ???? ??? ?? ????? ??????? ???? ?????? ???????? ???? ????? ?????.
??? ????? ????? ??????? ???? ???? ?????? ??? ????? ????? ????????? ???? ??????? ??? ????? ?????? ??? ????????? ?? ??? ????? ??? ????? ????? ???? ????? ??????.
??? ????? ???? ??????? ??? ???? ?? ??? ????? ?? ???? ?????? ???????? ????????? ?? ?? ???? ?????? ?? ?????? ???????? ??? ????? ???? ????????? ???? ???? ??? ??? ??????? ????? ?????? ???????? ??? ???? ??????? ????? ???? ?????? ???????? ?????? ??????? ?????. ??? ?? ???? ?? ?????? ????? ????? ??? ????? ???????? ????? ???? ????? ?? ?????? ??? ?????? ?? ???????.
??? ???? ???? ????? ??????? ????? ?????? ???? ??? ??????? ??? ??????? ?? ?????? ???????? ????????? ??????? ?? ????? ???? ?????? ????? ??? ?????? ???????? ?????? ???? ?????. ??? ?????? ?? ??? ??????? ?? ???? ?????? ????? ???????? ?? ?? ?? ???? ????? ?????? ???? ?? ??? ????? ??????? ????? ????? ????? ??? ??????? ??? ????? ????? ???? ??? ????? ?????? ???? ?? ??? ?????? ?????? ??????? ???? ????? ????? ??? ‘????? ?????? ?? ??? ??????’? ?? ???? ??? ??????? ???? ??? ????? ???. ??? ???? ???? ???? ?????????? ??????? ??? ??????? ?? ????? ????? ????? ???? ?? ????? ????? ?????? ?? ????? ???? ?????? ?????? ?????? ???? ?? ??? ?? ??? ???? ???? ????? ??????? ??????.
——————————————————————————–
January 31st, 2012, 10:15 pm
irritated said:
Mina #35
Excellent. My favorite:
“Qatar, too, canceled its press conference scheduled for 5 pm. A shame, too, since Hillary Clinton said that Syria, and by implication other countries, shouldn’t be run by one man or his family, and Syria’s Ambassador Ja’afari snarked about its “satellite television channel and fancy conference centers.”
January 31st, 2012, 10:17 pm
Afram said:
3ar3our unlimited religion products!
http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images?_adv_prop=image&fr=slv8-yie8&sz=all&va=meat+grinders
Syrian minorities bring your own salt&pepper shakers
January 31st, 2012, 10:18 pm
irritated said:
#38 majedalKhaldoon
“I agree forming goverment by the SNC”
You’re probably the only one to agree, the rest of world don’t even recognize the SNC as a coherent organization.
From the Ehsani report, it does not seem that the economical crunch will be felt soon.
You must suggest the FSA to burn all the wheat crops.. that may help.
January 31st, 2012, 10:23 pm
Ghufran said:
?? ????? ???? ???????
????…….
??? ??? ??????? ??????? ????
??? ??? ????? ?????? ?????? ???????
?????? ??? ????? ?? ??????
????? ?? ??????? ????????
??????? ???????
??? ?? ????
?? ?? ???? ???? ??????
????? ?? ??? ????? ??? ??? ?????
????? ??? ??????
??????? ?? ???????
????? ???? ??? ???? ????
????? ??? ??? ???????
????? ??? ????? ???????
????? ?????? ??????? ?? ??????
??? ???? ??? ???? ??? ????? ?????? ????? ?????.
.
January 31st, 2012, 10:25 pm
zoo said:
????? ?????? ????: ?? ?? ??? ????
??? ?????
2012-01-31
http://www.alquds.co.uk/index.asp?fname=today\31qpt999.htm&arc=data\201211-31\31qpt999.htm
????? ??? ?????? ?????? ???? ??? ????? ??? ?????? ????? ?? ?????? ????? ??????? ?? ???????? ????? ?? ????? ????????? ??????? ?? ??? ??? ??????? ?? ??????? ??? ????????? ?????? ???? ??????? ?????? ??????? ????? ????????? ???? ????????? ???? ????? ???? ?? ???????? ??? ???? ??? ????? ??? ??????? ???? ????? ?????? ???? ???? ???? ??????? ?? ???? ???? ?? ??? ?????.
?????? ??? ?????? ???? ?????? ???? ????? ?????? ???? ?? ?????? ?? ????? ??????? ???????? ????? ??? ??? ?????? ‘?? ???????? ???? ???? ??? ???? ?? ??? ?????? ????? ??? ????? ????? ??? ???? ?????? ?? ???????? ??? ???????’? ????? ?? ‘?????? ????? ????? ????? ???? ?????? ????? ????? ?????? ?????? ??? ??????? ?? ????? ??? ??????? ???? ??? ????????? ????? ?????? ????? ???? ??? ????????’.
??? ??? ????????? ???? ?????? ?????? ?????????? ???? ?? ????? ?????? ?????? ??????? ???????? ??? ?? ???? ???? ???? ?????? ???? ?????? ????????. ????? ?? ????? ??????? ??????? ??? ??????? ?? ????? ?????? ?????? ????? ????? ?????? ????? ??? ?? ?????????? ?????? ???? ?? ?????? ?????? ?????? ????? ???? ??????? ?? ??? ?????? ??????? ??? ????? ???? ?? ???????? ??????? ???? ?????? ?? ?????? ???????? ???? ?? ??????? ?? ?????? ????? ?? ????? ?? ????? ?????? ????? ?? ?? ????? ?????? ?? ?????? ???????? ?????? ????? ?? ????? ?????? ?? ???????? ????? ????? ????? ?????? ??????? ?? ??? ??????? ???? ??????? ?????? ???????.
??????? ????? ????? ???? ???? ?????? ????? ?????? ???? ???????? ???? ?????? ?????? ?? ????? ?????? ??????? ??? ??? ??? ???????? ???? ???? ????? ??????????? ???? ?? ?????? ?????? ?????? ?? ????? ???????? ????? ????? ?? ????? ????? ?? ??????? ????? ???? ??? ?????? ?? ??? ?????.
?? ?????? ?????? ????? ?????? ???? ?????? ???? ???? ????? ?? ?????????? ??? ??? ????? ???????? ????? ??????? ?????? ????? ????? ????? ??????? ???? ??? ?????? ?????? ??? ????? ???? ??????? ?? ???? ???? ????? ??? ????? ?????? ??????? ???? ???? ???? ???? ???? ??? ??? ???????.
?????? ?????? ??? ?? ??????? ?????? ?????? ???? ?? ??? ????? ?? ??? ???? ????? ????? ???? ???? ?????? ??????? ???? ??? ????? ?????? ????????? ??????? ?????? ???? ???? ??? ????? ???? ????? ????? ??? ????? ??????? ??? ??????? ?? ????? ??????? ???? ?????? ????? ?? ?? ????????. ???? ??? ?????? ?????? ‘?????’ ????? ‘???????’ ?????? ???? ?????? ??????? ?? ???? ??? ?????? ????? ???? ????????? ??? ?????? ?? ???????? ‘?????’ ????? ?????? ???? ?? ?????? ???? ?????? ???????? ?????? ????? ?? ???????? ???????? ??????
????? ???????? ???????? ?? ???? ????????? ??? ??? ?????? ???? ???? ?? ?????? ???? ?????? ???? ????????? ?????? ????? ??? ???????? ?? ???????? ??????? ????? ?? ????? ???? ???? ???? ??????? ?????????? ???? ??? ???????? ?????? ????? ????????? ????? ?????? ???? ???? ?????? ??? ?? ????? ????? ?????.
?????? ???? ????? ?? ???????? ????? ????? ????? ?????????? ???????? ?? ???????? ??? ?????? ??? ??????? ??? ???? ????? ?????? ???? ???????? ???? ????? ?????? ??????? ????? ??????? ??????? ??????. ???? ????????? ????????? ???? ??? ??? ??????? ???? ????? ?? ?????? ????? ???? ??????? ???????? ?? ?????? ???????? ??????? ???? ??????? ?????? ?????? ????????? ???????? ?????? ????? ??????.
????? ?????? ????? ??? ???????? ??? ???????? ???????? ?????? ??????? ???????? ???????? ???????? ?? ??? ??????? ?????????? ?????? ???????? ????????? ?? ??????? ?? ????? ?????? ??? ?????? ????? ?????? ?? ???? ?? ???? ?? ????? ????????? ???? ?? ???? ??????? ??????? ????? ??????? ??????? ???? ????? ????? ???? ?? ??? ???? ????? ???? ???? ?? ????? ?????????.
January 31st, 2012, 10:31 pm
Equus said:
Neo-liberal Destabilization Plan for Syria Continues: How long till we are on that “Seven Countries” list?
http://willyloman.wordpress.com/2012/01/30/neo-liberal-destabilization-plan-for-syria-continues-how-long-till-we-are-on-that-seven-countries-list/
January 31st, 2012, 10:39 pm
Norman said:
American Syrian organizations started to take sides, that will divide the Syrian Americans, It is going to be Missy and many people will take sides and split the expat,
They even blame the government for killing the priest, How low they could go ,
SYRIAN AMERICAN MEDICAL SOCIETY
Syrian American Medical Society calls for Temporary Protection Status for Syrians in the US, condemns recent massacres and calls for the protection of doctors and medical students in Syria
SAMS joined other organizations to formally request the Secretary of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to grant Temporary Protective Status (TPS) under section 244 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, to Syrian nationals, some of them medical doctors, students and residents presently in the United States, as their forced return to Syria may pose a grave threat to their personal safety.
The Society reiterated its call for the protection of lives of the people in Syria and protection of doctors and medical volunteers. Recent reports highlighted the harassment and arrest of medical students and doctors including AbdelKadar Chaar, a Syrian American Medical student who is missing since Jan 8 in Aleppo.
SAMS extends its heartfelt sympathy and deepest condolences to the families of the victims of the recent massacres committed by the Syrian regime including whole families in Karm Alzaitoun in Homs, the Palestinian community in Homs for the murder of Dr Mustapha Safar, who worked in Bissan Hospital and to the Christian community in Syria for the murder of Father Basilious Nasser of the Greek Orthodox Church, a well-respected priest and volunteer in local Red Crescent, by a sniper in the City of Hama while he was volunteering to help a wounded civilian.
SAMS condemns in the strongest possible terms the continuation and escalation of Syrian regime’s brutal attacks on civilians. Tens of thousands of civilians are suffering from lack of food and basic needs in many cities, villages and neighborhoods that are cut off from the outside world surrounded by the security forces. “As a humanitarian and medical organization representing the Syrian American Health professionals, we are horrified and appalled by the atrocities committed in Syria. There is no justification for collective punishment of whole cities and villages, murders of families, innocent children and women, harassing and detaining doctors or preventing wounded civilians from seeking life-sustaining treatments” said Dr Sahloul, president of SAMS.
The Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS) is independent, non-profit, professional, medical and humanitarian organization that represents medical professionals of Syrian descent.Through its rich network within the US and in Syria, SAMS organizes annual medical missions to Syria, provides professional and educational programs to Syrian physicians and organizes donations of medicine and medical supplies to local hospitals and underprivileged families in Syria and North America.
January 31st, 2012, 10:40 pm
Ghufran said:
??? ???????
???? ?????? ???????? ??? ???? ?? ??? ????? ?? ????? ??? ?????? ?????? ????? ???? ?????? ???????? ???????? ????? ??????? ??? ?????? ??????? ?????? ??? ??????? ??? ????? ??????? ???? ??????? ????? ??? ???? ???? ??? ??? ???? ???????. ????? ?????? ????? ?????? ????? ?? ?? ?????? ????? ??? ?? ??????? ?????
????? ?? ??? ????? ??? ??? ??? ??????…???? ???? ?? ??? ??? ??? ?? ????? ????? ?? ?????? ???? ????? ???? ???? ????????..??? ??????? ??????? ?? ???? ???? ????? ???????? ????? ?? ??? ??????. ????? ?? ?????? ??? ???????? ???? ???? ???? ????? ????? ?????..??? ???? ?? ????? ????? ???? ??????..????? ????? ????? ??? ????? ????? ???
?? ????? ??? ?? ?? ?????? ????? ???
?? ???? ????? ?????? ?????? ?? ?? ????
?? ??? ??????? ?? ???? ???? ???? ????? ???? ??? ?? ???? ?? ??????
“???????…… ??? ????? ???? ? ????? ???????…!”
????? ?? ???? ????? ????? ?? ????? ??????? ???? ????? ????? ??????? ???? ????? ?? ???? ???? ???? ??? ???? ?? ????.
“?? ???? ?????? ?? ??????? ?????? ????? ?????? ???? ????? ??????? ?????? ??????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ??????.”
“????? ?? ???? ??????? ?? ????, ??????? ?? ????? ??????? ????? ??? ????.”
?????? ????? ?? ???? ?????? ??? ????.. ??????? ???? ???? ??????.
?????? ???? ????? ?? ??? ???? ??? ???????? ?????? ???? ???? ?? ??? ????? ??? ???? ??? ?????? ??? ????. ??? ?????? ??? ?? ???? ??????? ????? ?? ????? ?????? ???? ???? ???? ????? ??????.
?? ???? ???? ???? ??? ????? ??????? ??? ?? ?????? ?????? ?????? ??? ????!
January 31st, 2012, 10:45 pm
jad said:
Irritated
Could you please stop giving ideas to the terrorist militias, they will do it…Thank God it’s winter and not in the wheat season!
A summary of today’s show at the UN Syrian style 🙂
From FB
??? ?? ????????? ?? ???? ???? ????? ?????:
1-?????? ?????? ??????? ?? ?? ???? ??????? ???? ????? ??? ??? ?? ???? ??????? ???? ?????? ??? ?? ????? ??????? ?? ??? ?? ???? ??? ????? ?????? ????? ??? ?? ????? ???? ??????? ??? “????????” ??? ???? ????? ?????? ???
2- ??? ?????? ??? ???????? ????? ?????? ??? ???? ????? ??? ???? ??? ?? ?????? ?????? ??????? ????? ???? ?? ?????? ? ??? ????????? ??? ???????
3- ??? ????? ??? ???? ?????? ?? ???? ??? (??????????) ??? ???? ?????? ????? ?? ???? ?? ????? ???? ????? ?? (?? ?? ?? ??) ??? ??????? ????????
4- ???? ?????? ??????? ??? ?????? (????) ???? ??????? ??? ?????? ??????? ??? ?????? ???? 52 ????? 52 ????? ???? ????? ?? 1 ????? 52 ????? 104 ????? 156 ….
5- ??????? ?????? ??? ???? ??? ???? ???? ???? ???? …(?? ????? ????)
6- ????? ??????? ?????? ??? ????? ? ???? ???? ???????.
7- ?????? ???? ? ?? ???? ??????? ??? ????? ?????? ??? ?????? ??? ??? ?????? ?????????? ????? ????????? ???? ?????? ??????? ????? ???????
8- ???? ?????? ?? ?????? ??????? ?????? ???? ???? ?????????????? ???? ?? ?? ????
January 31st, 2012, 10:46 pm
zoo said:
Russia is not isolated… Power sharing will prevail.
Syria’s fate on the line at UNSC meeting
Published: 01 February, 2012, 03:37]
http://rt.com/news/syria-un-security-council-211/
…
And Ali Rizk, an expert on Middle Eastern affairs, believes Russia’s firm stance on the issue – and its veto power in the UNSC – will keep President Bashar Assad’s enemies from toppling his government.
“I think we are heading towards people taking into consideration the Russian proposal of power-sharing, with Bashar Assad staying in power,” he told RT.
Neil Clark, a journalist and contributor to the Guardian, believes that Russia’s stance on Syria has much more international support than one may assume.
“It would be mistake for the Russians to think that they are isolated,” he said. “They are not, they have world opinion. It’s just the West which shouts the loudest. Britain, France, America, Israel, a few Arab states backed by the West – this is not the world. This is not the international community.”
January 31st, 2012, 10:48 pm
Equus said:
Thank you Mr. Ehsani for your neutral reporting and thorough questioning to your encounters.
If I may add regarding your finding: He assures me that the Syrian army is a lot stronger than many believe and that only 10-20% of its capacity has been used thus far.
I met three days ago a gentleman from Damascus, who officially labels himself pro-regime – high ranking- and assured me (as I’m concerned of Iraq deja-vu) that what was used of Syrian army capacity was very minimal and soldiers are instructed not to fire unless the soldier’s life is in danger.
What surprises me how I’ve changed stances during this uprising. I first started with the protestors, then I took step back and became neutral and last but not least after all the foreign plots that I’ve been reading and hearing about, I’m definitely with united Syria stable and secure. Colonies never cared for indigenous people. From Belgium in Congo to British in India, China you name it the list is long….they leave behind as if they left a spot of dirt.
January 31st, 2012, 11:03 pm
Ghufran said:
?????? ?????
?? ?? ?? ??? ????? ?????? ??????? ?????? ???????? ( ????? ??????? ???????) ??????? ???? ?????? ? ????????? ????? ?????? ? ??????? ?? ??????? ? ? ???? ??? ?? ???? ??? ????? ?????? ???? ? ?? ????? ?????? ???? ?? ???? ?????? ???? ??? ????? ?? ??????? ( ?? ??? ????) ? ??? ? ??? ????? ??????? ???? ???? ????? ??????? ??? ?????? ???? ???? ???? ??? ?????? ??????? ????? ??: ?? ?????? ?.. ????? ?? ????? ??????? ?????? ?? ?????? ?????? ???? ?? ??????? ?? ?????? ??? ????? ??? ??? ??????? ? ?????? ?? ??????? ?? ???? ?? ????? ???? ??? ????? ??? ???? ?? ?? ?????? ????? ?????? ? ??? ??? ???? ?? ???? ??? ?????? ??????? ?? ?????? ? ? ????? ??? ????????? ???? ????? ????? ???? ???? ?? ??? ????????? ???? ?? ????? ???? ??? ?? ????? ????????? ? ?????? ?? ?????? ????? ??? ???
January 31st, 2012, 11:22 pm
jad said:
John Bradley
‘Saudi-funded jihad targets Syria as last secular Arab state’
http://youtu.be/6FodpDvJRu4
“The dust has still not settled in the suburbs of Damascus, which in recent days has seen some of the fiercest fighting, claiming scores of lives. And as the unrest runs high, Moscow has offered itself as a stage for dialogue between the regime and the opposition, who are currently rejecting talks with President Assad. The idea of the Syrian opposition dancing to the foreign drum is shared by John R. Bradley, author of the book ‘After the Arab Spring’. He says NATO members are committed to toppling the regime to make Iran their next target.”
January 31st, 2012, 11:37 pm
Syrialover said:
Thank you Ehsani for your observations. It is like drinking clear water after being forced to sip so much muddy liquid with toxic chemicals.
I felt I had returned to Syria myself.
And you’ve attracted some thoughtful comments, which have become sadly rare on this forum lately.
February 1st, 2012, 12:14 am
Halabi said:
Thank you for sharing your experiences Ehsani, and for the great writing. You’ve always been objective and measured in your observations, and you’re obviously very smart.
I loved the pro-Assad rally scene, which is similar to what I witnessed two months ago, albeit without the ugly women. Many pro-Assad posters here seem to think that these rallies are fun carnivals with delightful people, but the truth is that there are some very rough characters out there (which is definitely applicable to the opposition as well).
I know you are pessimistic, and justifiably so, but I am optimistic about the chances for Syria because of people like you. If you can work in a little hope and change into your analysis I am sure you will win a juicy role in our new government.
February 1st, 2012, 12:26 am
Jerusalem said:
Top US senator wary of aiding Syrian opposition
(AFP) – 11 hours ago
WASHINGTON — Republican US Senator Dick Lugar, one of his party’s elder statesmen on foreign policy, cautioned Tuesday against providing US aid to Syria’s opposition “at this point.”
His comments came as Syria’s opposition urged the global community to act, deploring its failure to stop “massacres,” ahead of a showdown at the UN Security Council over a resolution aimed at halting the violence.
It seems Syria’s opposition couldn’t find enough missionaries (rebels/defectors) to pay they opted to ask for help from the global community. If anyone committing massacres (ethnic cleansing) is Galioun’s militia. Another Sarajevo and Bosnia Herzegovina story but what’s odd in this one although they were Muslim Sunnis Saudi Arabia wasn’t concerned about human rights and civilians. 2000 women were raped in this war how did Qatar contribute to save these women?
February 1st, 2012, 12:58 am
Syria no Kandahar said:
Hillary Clinton: We.created Alqaeda.Now history repeat itself in Syria:Alqaeda now is called
Syrian Revolution ,Soviet Union now is Iran:
February 1st, 2012, 1:11 am
Mina said:
Equus,
Indeed, how could anyone forget that the protesters kicked out Ben Ali and Mubarak as “umala” (agents… of the US, of the French grip, of you name it) and before it fell on the head of more famous umala, qickly turned to the Gulf secular enemies. No matter how bad Libya and Syria’s regime are, no one in the Gulf can come out clean in term of corruption and bad governmental practices. Actually, Saudi Arabia is very close to the definition of facism: special status of an elite (the princes, by thousands), ostracization of some groups (women and religious minorities), exploitation of foreign workers who are not granted legal rights.
But after the West told us that they are sorry to have sold weapons to Saddam and Qaddafi, we can see they don’t learn from their mistakes and are just fine selling weapons to the Gulf family-regimes.
February 1st, 2012, 1:12 am
Syria no Kandahar said:
Revolutionists or Animals?
February 1st, 2012, 1:19 am
Syria no Kandahar said:
SOB Hamad only cares about Syria.He supports theses animals.Syrians WILL NOT FORGET:
February 1st, 2012, 1:23 am
Mina said:
The West barks a lot, but in term of ideas, they don’t do much more than Revlon in London.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-16825761
“A day of debate at the United Nations Security Council meeting on Syria has ended without agreement.
The council was discussing whether to adopt an Arab League plan calling for an end to violence and for President Bashar al-Assad to stand down. (…)”
February 1st, 2012, 1:29 am
Innocent Criminal said:
Ehsani,
i share you pessimism but wish you had shared more on how you feel the situation will develop.
Nevertheless, your post was a very interesting read. My personal favorite part hands down was “A group of 7 girls arrive. They are distinctly unattractive.” 😉
February 1st, 2012, 1:35 am
Syria no Kandahar said:
Dr Majed
After you watch this take 3 Imodiums:
February 1st, 2012, 1:37 am
Mina said:
The US do it best: they spy on you even before you visit!
31 January 2012
Caution on Twitter urged as tourists barred from US
Holidaymakers have been warned to watch their words after two friends were refused entry to the US on security grounds after a tweet. Before his trip, Leigh Van Bryan wrote that he was going to “destroy America”. He insisted he was referring to simply having a good time – but was sent home.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-16810312
The “social networks” or 1984 going worse.
February 1st, 2012, 1:46 am
Averroes said:
Ehsani,
I think your soldier friend’s estimates are highly exaggerated. He is young and he is in no position to make an educated estimate. 50,000 and 100,000 can’t be true at all.
February 1st, 2012, 1:50 am
Syria no Kandahar said:
The security council is meeting to decide how to support these animals:after interrogating
this man his body was found cut into parts:
February 1st, 2012, 1:51 am
syria no kandahar said:
Minorities protectors,the builders of democratic syria!!
February 1st, 2012, 1:59 am
syria no kandahar said:
freedom…freedom…freedom….to kill:
February 1st, 2012, 2:06 am
syria no kandahar said:
SA Terrorists are starting the destruction process.church destructed in Banyas.Syria”s meat is bitter and hard to chew ….Syrians will beat you up and you will not be able to
copy your iraq crimes….the syrian army will protect syria:
February 1st, 2012, 2:15 am
syria no kandahar said:
victims of Hamad,Erdogan ,Revlon and zebalih
February 1st, 2012, 2:21 am
syria no kandahar said:
peacefull protesters needing NATO protection
February 1st, 2012, 2:33 am
ann said:
At UN on Syria, Russia Says Hope But Opposes Power Transfer, As Alain Juppe Says Report Is Not Arab League’s
http://www.innercitypress.com/syria5lasbowl013112.html
UNITED NATIONS, January 31 — Amid Superbowl like hype, the UN Security Council met about Syria on Tuesday afternoon; afterward the Press put questions to foreign ministers and ambassadors.
Some made much of Russian ambassador Vitaly Churkin saying in the Chamber that he sees “hope” in what’s called the draft by Morocco — as Inner City Press exposed on Tuesday morning, the track changes in the draft were input by the UK.
But later at the stakeout, Churkin said it is not the Council’s role to endorse calls for power to be transferred, as the Arab League plan does.
Despite some breathless major media tweets on Tuesday morning that Russia’s foreign minister Lavrov would come to New York, he wasn’t even taking Hillary Clinton’s telephone calls. A Russian Mission source mocked the “Western media’s mis-reports” to Inner City Press, saying of Lavrov, “He’s in New Zealand.”
When she came out, Hillary Clinton took only two questions, telling a chosen reporter that nothing should be read into Lavrov not taking her call, she’s traveled in Australia and it can be difficult.
After Hillary Clinton, German Minister of State Michael Link spoke at the stakeout. Inner City Press asked him, since he’d referred to crimes against humanity, if Germany could agree to the type of immunity that Ali Saleh of Yemen got, under the Gulf Cooperation Council plan the Council largely endorsed.
“It’s too early to say,” Link replied, “but I think that there is a necessity of a special inquiry.” So he meant it’s too early until the crimes are investigated? Or perhaps he really meant, as the Council agreed to in Yemen, he meant that accountability could be traded away?
Inner City Press has been informed of Saleh’s whereabouts in New York – watch this site on that.
After Link, the UK’s William Hague strode to the stakeout. Throughout the open meeting, various diplomats polled by Inner City Press said that Hague had been the best, with his improvised snark against Syria blaming, for example, Lawrence of Arabia. (Portugal’s Paulo Portas got an honorable mention for citing Dostoevsky.)
Inner City Press asked Hague if Assad transferring power is a precondition. Hague replied that it’s all about the Arab League plan – and the plan provides for that.
As noted, Churkin says Russia will not agree to that, even if the Arab League is asking for it. The Arab League’s Secretary General Nabil Elaraby did not speak at the stakeout, declaring in the glare of the UN parking lot — as filmed by Inner City Press — that there would be no more answers.
Qatar, too, canceled its press conference scheduled for 5 pm. A shame, too, since Hillary Clinton said that Syria, and by implication other countries, shouldn’t be run by one man or his family, and Syria’s Ambassador Ja’afari snarked about its “satellite television channel and fancy conference centers.”
As France’s Alain Juppe came to the stakeout, before Hillary Clinton, the sounds was turned off to the media of the speech China’s Li Baodong. Juppe spoke in French, and took his first question in French.
Then Inner City Press asked him about Paragraph 44 of the Arab League monitoring report, which says that “Mission reports from Homs indicate that the French journalist was killed by opposition mortar shells.” (Inner City Press on January 28 obtained and put the report online, here.)
After first asking for a translation from the Mission’s spokesman, Juppe maintained that the report is not endorsed by the Arab League.
But when Inner City Press asked Russia’s Churkin about just this an hour later, Churkin notes that it was the Arab League itself which asked that the monitoring report be annexed and made into an official document of the Security Council.
Thus it’s been endorsed not only about the Arab League, but also the Security Council. We aim to have more on this.
Inner City Press covered the expert level negotiations on the draft on Monday night, and took to calling Tuesday’s meeting the “Syria Superbowl,” with the connotation of too much build up and hype, ending in a whimper or a blow-out.
In what many called a typical slip-up, in the middle of the Syria meeting, Secretary General Ban Ki-moon who was not in town issued a statement of concern about a country beginning with the letter S – except it wasn’t Syria, or even South Sudan, but Senegal. Galling, one observer called it.
Several diplomats at meeting’s end said this was right. But unlike the NFL Superbowl, which marks the end of the sport for some months, at the UN on Wednesday negotiations on the draft resolution will continue.
Morocco’s permanent representative Mohammad Loulichki told Inner City Press that, contrary to the quote the Press ran earlier on Wednesday that the real drafters and promotions and even track-change enterers of the resolution are European, Morocco is behind it.
Coming days should show not only what Russia means by hope, but how much of the Arab League was behind canceling the observer mission, and the demands so far made by the Arab League. Watch this site.
February 1st, 2012, 2:52 am
Dale Andersen said:
Great post, Ehsani. You are the man!
February 1st, 2012, 4:01 am
Alan said:
Russia’s Reasons for Saying ‘No’ on Syria
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5W3oBKlbhE
Moskaus Treue zu SyrienAllein gegen Assads Feinde
31.01.2012 • Für Moskau bleibt Syrien der wichtigste Partner im gesamten Nahen Osten. Russland will dafür sorgen, dass der UN-Sicherheitsrat Gewaltanwendung gegen Syrien niemals billigt.
http://www.faz.net/aktuell/politik/ausland/moskaus-treue-zu-syrien-allein-gegen-assads-feinde-11633390.html
February 1st, 2012, 4:01 am
Syrialover said:
More tragedy for Syria, being used by Russia to avoid being seen to criticise what it’s guilty of itself. A regime that is also struggling to face down internal unrest over corruption, state-run gangsterism, election fraud, economic inequality and a broken legal system. A regime that has lost respect and trust,
both inside and outside.
Their call for “dialogue and negotiation” in Syria is hilarious. Wait until the rest of the world calls for that when Russia’s internal crisis explodes. They won’t understand what anyone is talking about, having no experience or concept of the process except as an empty rhetorical stalling tactic.
Those who are clutching in hope at the ankles of the Russian bear should study how out of his depth Putin was when challenged by recent mass demonstrations, check the data on the economic stagnation, the capital flight and brain drain from Russia, the blanket spread of organised crime and the growing anger of Russians at what that regime has done to their homeland.
Russia has nothing to offer, not even to its own people.
February 1st, 2012, 4:12 am
Alan said:
Syrians will be grateful if Mister Ehsani can organize mission from Sociological institutes on polls of different levels of population! Poll of taxi drivers isn’t useful academic work
All praises of commentators for begun work are correct also I to them will join.
February 1st, 2012, 4:20 am
Badr said:
I’m apprehensive that a slow grinding twirling down the tubes would be a more accurate description than a long black tunnel.
February 1st, 2012, 4:52 am
shamiland said:
I strongly recommend this:
http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/movies/2012/01/word-from-syria.html
Artists always bring some light into darkness…
February 1st, 2012, 7:18 am
Tara said:
Ouch! That hurts. It is tiring to be thoughtful when there is no appreciation. Hillary should ignore him completely.
Russia’s foreign minister Sergei Lavrov refused to take Clinton’s telephone calls, after staying away from the UN, the specialist UN blog Inner City Press reports. Clinton said nothing should be read into Lavrov not taking her call, blaming the apparent snub on poor communications in Australia where Lavrov is visiting.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/middle-east-live/2012/feb/01/syria-resolution-has-no-chance-says-russia-live-updates
February 1st, 2012, 7:19 am
Observer said:
Lest anyone think otherwise I still maintain and the blog this time confirms that this is a medieval dark brutal regime incapable of progress or reform or stability. The so called institutions are now completely gutted and destroyed by enormous decay and corruption that has reached horrific proportions.
It is impossible for any regime to survive without the consent of the people and this one will end in the dustbin of history’s trash.
What a farce to have the Syrian ambassador to the UN in his attempt to gain the moral high ground by invoking the names of Zola and Ghandi and Bolivar and even the poet Kabbani!
J’accuse coming from a clique with crimes against humanity!!! Zola must turning in his grave indeed.
February 1st, 2012, 7:29 am
agatha said:
EHSANI, THANKS FOR YOUR GREAT REPORT!
How bad is the economical situation in Syria realy?
„Unterdessen beschleunigt sich der Zusammenbruch der Wirtschaft. Weil das aber keinem Syrer entgeht, sind einst spektakuläre Demonstrationen loyaler Regimeanhänger zusammengeschrumpft auf eine Größe, bei der auf offiziellem Filmmaterial Nahaufnahmen gegenüber Luftbildern vorherrschen.“ (Peter Harling)
http://www.zeit.de/politik/ausland/2012-01/syrien-assad-gewalt-buergerkrieg/komplettansicht
Ehsani, True -and all- what are your observations during your journey?
February 1st, 2012, 8:02 am
majedkhaldoun said:
Observer
Ja3fari could not deny that 100 are dying daily, could not deny the brutality of the regime, could not deny that most of the demonstrations are peaceful,he did not challenge the SNC, he did not suggest resolution, and he did not praise Russian and chinese ambassador,he mentioned when he was a kid he paid to help the gulf states, what a stupid idea, not even hafez the father was president then,Ja3fari talk in vague terms.
he knows his boss term is coming to the end, the way I read him,is that he expects Russia to turn around and agree to a minimaly modified resolution, Russia must accept and call for immidiate halt to the armed oppression ,
February 1st, 2012, 8:07 am
Ales said:
Good to hear from Ehsani’s report that army in Homs had orders “not to shoot and kill” and had held back so far.
As, by all reports, there is a lot of violence in Homs anyway, this proves violence was sectarian in 1st place. Being from ex Yugoslavia, I know what race divisions and stupid nationalistic leaders can do to a country. After a period of peace, a new generation forgets pain and suffering of previous wars/conflicts and embark on same path. It’s sad and inevitable. I fear what future will bring for Syrians.
February 1st, 2012, 8:13 am
Alan said:
The opposition should help Russia to play the positive role! The opposition should leave maximalism, sit for a negotiating table and will learn to defend the rights in a legal field and only in a legal field!
There is no advantage of energy loss on destruction! The world community yesterday has let won’t know that external intervention! Inevitably to pass to battle behind a negotiating table
February 1st, 2012, 8:13 am
Observer said:
It is not the oppostion but the regime that from day one and hiding behind false promises of reform and dialogue has chosen the armed maximalist route to crush any dissent. There is no doubt that it used horrific and barbaric methods on children and ordinary citizens and has tried to wiggle its way out of all the efforts to get the Al to help it come out of the dead end it got itself stuck in.
Armed gangs my foot and if they are not capable of defeating them in 11 months then the government should resign or ask for outside help if this whole make believe story is “true”.
February 1st, 2012, 9:16 am
Alan said:
Moscow should respect your intention on peace political battle and in debate with a mode and the weight the world will support a peace step! Ignore force use! In it there will be no winner! It is necessary to direct diplomacy to Moscow! Here there is a question key!
February 1st, 2012, 9:34 am
Revlon said:
Ehsani’s sources on the strength, rate of deployment, rules of engagement and morale of Assad army are biased towards the regime.
Their story reflects what the regime has been telling its long-incarcerated’, on the job loyalists either through intra-mural communiqués or by the only allowed media, the regime’s.
Young conscripts are vulnerable to become brainwashed.
Senior ones are mindful of military confidentiality and risk of divulging information that is not sanctioned by the brutal security officers.
Here is an assessment from the other camp; the revolution.
It is offered by retired, Syrian General Aqeel Al Hashem to Al Jazeera:
– Assad army has been spread so thin that Jr had to mobilise the Republican Guards lately to partly reclaim Damascus suburbs.
– By that, Assad has virtually used all of his military cards.
?????? ???? ?????? ???? ??? ??????? ????? ????????
30/01/2012
February 1st, 2012, 9:55 am
jad said:
According to this news, the terrorists took over Alfijeh spring the main drinking water source of Damascus and they are threatening to poison it!
If true, it proves that the Syrian army is not even fighting or trying to protect anything anymore, it’s letting those terrorists willingly to move freely without any confrontation for some unexplained reasons, if the regime wants to loose why not to surrender without the need of being responsible for killing more Syrians and why to even bother Russia in standing for it against the whole world.
At the same time it shows that the terrorists goal is nothing but destroying Syria and killing as many Syrians as they could, this is not a struggle for rights it’s a war against all Syrians regardless what they think or want, since when poisoning the water become a solution, I never ever heard anything as criminal as this before.
???????? ??????? ??? “??? ??????” ? “??? ????” ??????? ???? ?????? ?? ???? ???????? ????????!?
??? ?????? ?????? ???????? ?? ???? ? ????? ???????? ??????? ??????? ?? ??????? ??????? ?????? ? ? ???? ??????? ????? ??? ????? ????????
???? ? ??????? ( ???) : ??? ??? ???? ?? ?????? ???????? ?????? ? ?????? ? ???? ????? ??????? ????? ????? ? ???? ???? ???????? ?? ????? ?????? ??????? ??? ????? ” ??? ??????” ? ” ??? ????” ???????? ? ??? ?? ??? ??????? ???????? ??????? ???? ???? ???? ?????? ??? ??????? . ???? ???? ?? ” ?? ????” ?? ???? ” ??? ????” ??????? ??? ?? ?????? ?? ????? ?? “???????” ?? ?????? ??????? “?????? ???? ????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ??? ???? ?????? ?? ???? ??? ?????? ?????”. ????? ?????? ?? ???????? ?????? ???? ??? ????” ?????” ???? ???? ????? 2 ?? ?? ??????? ?? ??? ????. ???? ?????? ?? ????? ???????? ??????? ?????? ?? ??????? ???? ? ????? ??????? ???????? ?? ??????? ???? ???????? ?????? ??? ?????? ? ??? ???? ?? ????.???? ?????? ?? ???? ?????” ????? ???????? ?????? ??????”? ????? ??? ?? ????? “?????? ????? ????? ?? ??????? ?????? ??????? ??????? ??? ?????? ??? ??? ??????? ?????? ?????? ??? ?? ???? ????? ?????? ????? ???????? ????”? ????? ?? ???? ?????? ????? ??? ???? ??????? ???? ???!
????? ???”??????” ?? ???? ???? ??????? ?????? ????? 15 ?? . ???? ???????? ?????? ??? ????? ???????? ???????? ??? ??????? ??????. ???? ??? ????? ??????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ????? ???????? ??????. ????????? ??? ” ??? ??????” ? “??? ????” ???? ???????? ?? ????? ?? ?????? ???? ???? “??????????” ??? ???? ? ?? ???????? ????? ??????? ?? ???? ????? ?? ?? ???? ????????. ??? ???? ???????? ????? ?????? ??? ???? ?????? ??? ??? ?? ??? ? ?????? ?????? ?????? ???? ?????? ??? ?????? ??? ?? ???? ????? ???? ?????? ??????? ?????? ??? ?????? ?? ???? ??????? ????????. ???? ???????? ?????? ??????? ?????? ??? ????? ???????? ???? ???? ??? ??????? ?????? ? ???? ???? ?????? ???? ???? ?? ??????? ?????? ?????? ????? ????? ?? ??????? . ???? ??? ?????? ?? ???? ?????? ??? ?????? ? ????? ????? ??????? ??? ???? ??????? ??????? ???? ?? ???????? ??????? ???? ???? ?? ?? ??? ???? ??? ???? ??? ?? ???????? ?????? ??? ??????? ???????? ??????? ??????? ????? ?????? ???????? ?????? ???? ???? / ??? ????? “??? ?????”!
http://www.syriatruth.org/news/tabid/93/Article/6601/Default.aspx
February 1st, 2012, 10:09 am
Juergen said:
New article on DER SPIEGEL
The tone of the article may not be everyones cup of tea…
Syria’s First Lady Asma al-Assad: The Beauty and the Butcher
by Ulrike Putz
Is she just the women of a luxury ruthless ruler in bloodlust? Or an open-minded, reform-minded first lady who must watch helplessly as their country sinks into civil war? Even Syria aficionados are wondering what role Bashar al-Assad’s wife Asma in Damascus plays.
“Asma al-Assad is glamorous, young, very chic – the freshest and most magnetic of all the First Ladies She’s a rare combination:.. A lean, lanky beauty with an analytical mind, which clothes itself with a considered Understatement ‘Paris Match’ she calls ‘the element of light in a land of shadows.’ The First Lady of Syria. ”
One could phrase even whole passages from the hymnal portrait of the 36-year-old wife of Bashar al-Assad’s which was issued in the American fashion magazine “Vogue” last March. The article has since been removed from the web page of the magazine. The piece reads today like a long, bad joke. For even as the issue in which Assad’s be praised, was on the newsstands, the Syrian people rose up against his regime. The glittering facade of the young president and his wife began to crumble, which the “Vogue” journalist so eagerly has portrayed.
Today, ten months after the start of the uprising against Assad and his regime, far more than 5000 people have been killed in Syria and the country is torn by a civil war. Especially in Britain, people ask what makes Asma al-Assad of it all. Because Syria’s president’s wife is British.
Asma al-Akhras is born in 1975 in Acton, west London. Her parents, Syrian Sunnis, have left their homes in the fifties. The father had made a name in London’s cardiologists society, her mother was working before the move in the diplomatic service of Syria: The Syrian family belongs to the educated upper class. Asma lived through a privileged, very British childhood. In the local school and later on the fine Queen’s College for young ladies in London, she is “Emma” called. During the holidays she goes home to Syria. There, she met as a teenager the ten years older son, President Bashar al-Assad.
But before the two get closer, Asma al-Akhras is making career. With degrees in computer science and French literature of the prestigious King’s College London she is hired by Deutsche Bank and is then up to her wedding with JP Morgan she worked as an investment banker.
Bashar al-Assad, the second son not meant to be successor to his father who ruled Syria since 1971 with an iron fist. In London he was trained as an ophthalmologist, when his elder brother Basil in 1994 died in a car accident. At this time Bashar and Asma seem to be closer in London. But then he must return to Damascus, his father wants him pass on the thrpne to him. The couple now leads a long distance relationship.
“I was always very serious at work, and suddenly I took off on the weekends, to disappear. The people were not able to get any sense of it,” said the First Lady of “Vogue”. “How do you explain that I’m together with the son of a president?”
In October 2000, she quit her job and moved to Damascus. At 31 December, she celebrated her wedding to her childhood friend. What led the banker to marry a man whose life will consist of continuing the dictatorship of his father remains a mystery. Perhaps the answer lies in Asma’s predilection for Christian-Louboutin-shoes and Chanel jewelry, as the “Vogue” coverage suggests.
At first the marriage remains a secret: according to several sources, Asma al-Assad spent three months in order to travel incognito through Syria. She made a name in the following years, for herself as a reformer, pushing forward charities to projects that encourage young people to work as “active citizen” for a change in Syria.
Because of such activities some would estimate that Asma was actually interested in opening Syria and through her marriage with her childhood friend Bashar she saw as an opportunity to do good for their country. “One must not forget that both Bashar and Asma, were long considered a beacon of hope,” says a Syria expert in Beirut, who wishes to remain anonymous. “Both have represented the modern Syria, both of which were popular.”
Others see the role of her more critical. Is it not cynical, that Asma al-Assad, on the one hand supported young people here to find their way on the Internet and on the other hand, Syrians, who used the Internet to express their displeasure about the regime, were arrested in a beautiful regularity, asked the British magazine “New Statesman” . With such suppression methods, the Assads had stayed for 41 years in power.
Surely, Asma al-Assad was aware that the election of her fiance for president in 200 was in fact a farce.Assad Junior was then “elected” by over 97 percent of the electorate. Even if the First Lady always emphasize that in Syria “religious harmony” prevails, it was still her own father in law, who had commanded in 1982 in the city of Hama massacre of up to 20,000 Sunnis, says the “New Statesman”.
“Why is a nice girl like her married to a butcher ?” Asked the London “Times” on Monday. To solve the puzzle the paper asked some people that know Asma al-Assad even from the past. “It must weigh heavily on their conscience. God Damn it, her own family is out of Homs Andrew Tabler, Syria specialist, of the “Washington Institute”, to the “Times”.
Tabler, who worked in his time in Damascus, together with Asma al-Assad on projects, reports a personality change in the young women. The initially very liberal First Lady had become uncompromising over the years. She had become from a reformer to a recorder of the regime, she had increasingly behaved “harder and more dominant,” said Tabler. Brigid Kennan, the wife of a former EU ambassador to Damascus, said to the “Times”, they had the impression that all the fawning around them has spoiled Asma.
What holds Asma al-Assad of current events in Syria, remains obscure in spite of the reports of the British press. Rumours that she had fled with the couple’s three children to London, seemed wrong after her appearance in early January at the side of her husband.
“There are really only two choices: Either she wants out, but is a prisoner in a golden cage of the regime,” says the Lebanese Syrian expert. “Or it is like many in the leadership team believe that the regime must assert itself by all means, because otherwise there is chaos.”
http://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/0,1518,812495,00.html
February 1st, 2012, 10:22 am
Revlon said:
A series of videos depicting live coverage of FSA attack on and liberation of Bab AlDraib Checkpoint in Homs city.
The videos depict an extensive damage to the public clinic of the neibourhood that had been used as a regime base for sniping at civilians and terrorising the neighbourhood.
Several armored vehicles and one tank were destroyed.
One armored vehicle was caught operational.
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????? ????? 30 1 2012 ???3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxC5nbyjVO0&feature=youtube_gdata_player
??? ??? ??? ???? ????? ????? ???? ??? ???????? ?????? ?????? ????? ????? 30 1 2012 ???2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHyIcq3PyNk&feature=related
??? ????? ???? ?? ?????? ?????? ???? ?????? ??? ??????? ?????? ?? ??? ?????? ??????? ??? ????? 30 1 2012
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=VFYDJ0hU1bw
??? ??? ??? ???? ????? ???? ???????? ???? ???? ????? ???? 31 1 2012
February 1st, 2012, 10:23 am
jad said:
This description of the Syrian ‘uprising’ is so true and what bring it to this criminal level is the silence of the ‘revolution’s’ ‘elite’ on every crime and every barbaric show done in their names thinking that they are supporting it while what they are doing was creating an ugly bloody monster that nobody can handle anymore, its too late:
???? ?????? ?????? ? ????? ?????!?
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?? ??? ? ?? ???? ?? ?? ?? ??? ??????? ?? ???? ?? ?????? ?????? ??? ??? ??????? ???? ? ???? ??? ??????? ???????? ??????? ( ?????????) ?? ??? ????? ??????? ??????? ???????? ( ???? ????????? ????????? ?? ?????? ??? ??????)! ??? ???? ?? ???? ?? ??? ??????? ?? ???? ?? ?? ????? ????? ????? ?? ????? ????!?
????? ” ?????? ” ??????? ?? ??? ??????? ??????????? ???? ????? ??????? ?????? ??????? ???? ???? ???? ” ??????” ??? ???? ????? ???? ?????? ???? ??????? ???? ????????? ?????? ???? ?????? ?????? ????????? ??????? ?????? ?? ?????? ????? ???????!?
?? ?????? ?? ?? ???? ?? ????? ??? ???? ???? ??? ???? ? ??????? ???? ?? ????? ??????? ????? . ???? ?? ?????? ???? ????? ? ??? ???? ??? ??????? ??????? ???? ??? ?? ??? ???????? ????????. ??? ???? ?? ????? ???? ??? ?????? ?????? ?????? ??????????? ???????? ????????? ???????? ??? ??????? ?????? ???? ????? ??????? ???????? ?? ?????? ?? ?????? ? ?????? ?????? ???????? ????????? . ??? ?? ????? ???? ???????? ?? ??? ?????????? ???? ????? ??? ?????? ??????? ?? ???? ???????? ? ????? ????? ????????? ??????? ??? ??? ????? ??? ?????? ???? ?? ????? ?? ???? ????? ?? ??????? .
???? ?? ???? ??? ?? ???? ??? ??????? ? ???? ??????? ?? ????? ?? ?????? ?? ???????? ?????????? ???? ?? ??? ” ???????? ??????”. ??? ????? ????? ????? ??? ????? ?? ???? ??”????” ? ??? ????? ?? ????? ??????? ???????? ???????? ???????? ????? ?? ?????? ????? ??? ?????? ?????????? ??????? ?????? ? ????? ??? ???? ??? ?? ?????? ????? ???? ????? ????? ????? ????? ????? ?????? ????? ????? ? ????? ?? ?????? ???????? ????? ???????? ???????? ??????????? ???? ???????!?
??? ????? ????????? ???? ???? ???? ??? ????? ??? ???? “??????” ??? ??? “??????” ???? ????? ????? ????? ???? ???? ????? ?? ???? ??? ?? ???? ??? ? ???? ?????? ????? ??? ??????? ??? ?????? ???? ?? ????? ?? ??? ????? ???? ??????? ?? ????? ” ???? ???? ? ?????? ????? ????? ?? ????” ? ???? ??? ???? ?? ?????? ??? ?? ??? ” ????? ?????” ?????? ????? ?????? ?????? ??? ???? ??????? ???????? ??? ??? ???? ?????? “???? ????? ??????”! ??? ??? ?????? ?? ????? ??????? ?????? ??????? ??? ???? ?????? ??????? ??? ???? ???? ” ?????” ?? ??? ????? ?????? ?????? ??? ?????? ??????! ??? ???? ????? ??? “??????” ??? ??? ??? ???? ????? ????? ????? ???????? ?????? ?????! ??? ?????? ?? ???? ????? ??? ????? ?????? ????? ????? ????? ??????? ???????? ?????????!
?? ??? ???? ????? ?????? ??????? ??????? ????? ????? ?? ????? “???????”. ???? ????? ????????? ???? “??????” ?????? ??? ????? ????? ????? ????? ???? ?????? ????? ??????? ??????? ? ?????? ??????? ?? ???????? ???????? ???? ?? ??????? ??? ????? ??????? ??? ???? ??”????? ?????? ??????”! ??? ??? ??? ?????? ??? ????? ?? ????? ??????? ?? ???? 20 ?? ?????? ?? ?????? ????? ?? ?????? ??????????? ????? ” ??????” ?????? ? ?????? ??? ??????? ?? ???? ????? ?? ????? ????? ?? ?????? ??? ????? ????? ???????? ??????? . ??? ???? ” ??????” ??? ??? ????? ????? ????? ??? ????? ?????? ?????? ???? ? ?? ??????? ??? ” ??? ??????” ?? ????? ??????? ?? ????? ???????. ??????? ?? ????? ?? ?? ???? ???? ????????? ??????? ???????? ??? ??????? ?? ????? ? ?? ??????? ???????? ?”????????” ???? ???? ????? ???? “??????” ? ??? ??????? “?????? ?????? ????? ???????”? ???????? ?????? ?????? ???????? ???????? ?????? ????????? ??? ????? ?????????. ????? ????? ???????? ?? ” ???? ???? ??????? ?? ????? ???????” ????? ???? ??? ????? ?????? ?? ” ????????” ?? ” ??????” ??????? ??????? ?? ?????? ?? ????? ??????? ???? ??????? ?? ?????? ?????? ????? ? / ?? ??????? ??????? “?? ???? ??????? ??? ??? ?????? ? ? / ?? ?? ?????? ?? ????? ???????? ??????? ??????? ??? ?????? ?? ????? ??????? ??????? ???????”!
?????? ?? ????? ????? ?? ?? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ?????? . ???? ????? ” ????” ??????? ??”?????? ?????? ??????” ???? ?????? ?????? ” ????? ??????” ??? ?????? ????? ??? ????? ??????? ???? ???? ?????? ?? ??”????????” ?????? ??? ?????? ??????? ?????? ??? ????? ?????? ?? ??? ??????? ?????? ?????? ????? ?? ???? ?????? ???????. ??? ????? ??? ??? ??????? ???????? ?? ????? ?? ????? ?????? ? ?????? ???? ?????? ? ???? ?? ????? ???????? ??????? ??????????? ? ?????? ??? ? ?? ??? ????? ? ??????? ??? ?????? ???????? ?? ???????? ???????. ????? ?? ?????? ?? ???????? ??? ????? ?? ???? ???????? ???????? ????????? ???????? ??? ???? ?? ????? ????? ????? ?? ???? ?? ???? ???????? ??????? ??????? ?? ????? ??? !?
??? ??? ??? ?? ???? ???? ???? ?????? ??????? ???????? ??? ??? ??? ??? ???? ?? “?????? ??????? ???????” ????? ?????? ?? ????? ????? ????????? ?????? ??? ????? ???? ???????? ?? ” ?????? ???????” ???? “?????? ???????”!
??? ??? ???? ??? ??? ?? ????? ?????? ??????? ??????????? ?? ??? ????? ” ???? ?????? ?????? ?????? ?????”!”
February 1st, 2012, 10:25 am
Revlon said:
????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ???? ?? ?????? ??????? ?????? ????? ?????
SNC intervened with the Libyan authorities to grant entry on humanitarian basis to hundreds of stranded Syrians at the Egyptian-Libyan border.
SNC has acted with deference to expatriate Syrians’ plight, something Assad Syria has never done.
Those poor souls could have been left to the elements of the weather and official bureaucracy, and once back home they would have been interrogated and probably tortured for hurting Assad national sentiment!
SNC
01/02/2012
http://www.facebook.com/TheSyrianNationalCouncil
Syrian National Council ?????? ?????? ??????
???? ??????? ??????? ???? ??????? ???? ???? ????? ??????? ??? ???? ?? ??????? ????? ??? ?????? ??????? ???????? ??? ?????? ????? ??? ??????? ??????? ???? ???? ?????? ??? ????????.
?????? ??? ???????? ??????? ??? ???? ??? ????? ????? ??? ?????? ?????? ??? ??????? ??? ?? ?????? ?????? ??????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ????? ?????? ?? ???? ??? ??????? ???? ???? ????? ?? ????? ??????? ??????? ???? ????? ?? ????? ????? ????? ???? ???? ?????? ???????.
???? ??????? ????? ????? ?? ???? ??????? ??????? ??? ????????? ???? ?????? ???????? ????????? ???? ???? ???? ??????? ?? ??????? ?????? ??? ????? ??????? ?????? ??????? ????? ????? ??????? ??? ??????? ??????? ?? ??????? ???????.
???? ?????? ????? ??? ???????? ????? ??????? ?? ????? ??????? ??????? ?????? ??? ??????? ????? ?? ???? ????????? ??? ?? ???????? ???? ?????? ????? ???? ????? ????????? ???????? ??????? ?????? ???? ?? ?????? ????? ????????? ???? ???? ??? ??????? ???? ??? ???? ???? ??? ?????.
????? ????? ???? ?????? ?????? ?????? ???? ???????? ??????? ??? ????? ????? ??? ?????? ??? ??????? ???? ??? ?????? ??? ?? ???? ??????? ??????? ??????? ??? ????? ?? ?????????.
????? ??????? ??????? ?? ????? ???? ????? ????? ???????? ????? ????????? ???? ?????? ?????? ????????? ??????? ????????? ?????? ???? ????????? ??????? ?????? ???? ???????? ???????? ??? ?????.
????? ??? ?? ?????? ?????? ??? ???? ?????? ??????? ?? ???????? ??? ???? ?????? ??????? ???????? ?????? ???????? ???? ????? ??????? ???????? ?? ?? ?? ??? ??????.
?????? ???????? ?????? ?????? ??????
[email protected]
???? ???? (????? ??????)
February 1st, 2012, 10:50 am
norman said:
Revlon,
These Syrians are not orphans , they are always welcome in their mother land Syria.
February 1st, 2012, 10:58 am
jad said:
Some of Dr. Abukhalil news for today:
Zionists as experts
Is there an article on the Middle East in the Western press (or lately in the Saudi press) that does not cite “experts” from the Zionist club, WINEP?
Posted by As’ad AbuKhalil
US provides evidence
“In early January, the commander of Iran’s Quds Force, Qassim Suleimani, visited Damascus, raising suspicions that Iran was advising Mr. Assad on how to quash the uprising.” Wait. So by that logic or evidence, when US military commanders visited Bahrain or Egypt (under Mubarak) they were advising those desports on how to “quash the uprising”? But what do I expect from a reporter who concludes his article by words of “objective” wisdom from a fellow at WINEP? Really.
Posted by As’ad AbuKhalil
When a US official finds evidence
“At the same time, American officials said there was growing evidence that Iran was helping train and equip Syrian security forces. “Our concerns include the fact that some of the tactics being used by the Syrian regime mirror tactics used in Iran against their own population”. You mean Syria, like Iran, shot at protesters? Is that now what the Tunisian, Egyptian, Yemeni, Bahraini, Saudi, Libyan, Jordanian, and Omani governments have done? These are the tactics, right? Wait. That can only mean one thing: that Iran also helped and trained the Tunisian, Egyptian, Yemeni, Bahraini, Saudi, Libyan, Jordanian, and Omani security forces. What a diabolical reach.
Posted by As’ad AbuKhalil
NEIL MacFARQUHAR identifies the crux of the matter
“Fundamentally, the argument over Syria reflects a deeper divide between those who would use the Security Council to confront nations over how their governments treat civilians, versus those who consider that it has no role whatsoever in settling domestic disputes.” This is too much for me to digest, Mr. MacFarquhar, but let me try to understand. So you are saying that the US and its allies are in favor of confronting, say, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Jordan, Morocco, and Egypt of Sadat and Mubarak–over how they treat their citizens (or non-citizens as the case may be)? OK. That is easy to understand. Thanks for this helpful and moral distinction between the two camps. I would have remained confused otherwise.
Posted by As’ad AbuKhalil
Qatar foreign policy
“I was an early supporter of military intervention in Libya. I called for a no-fly zone on February 23, just 8 days after protests began.” Now we know why you are cited right and left in the Western media, and I am sure that you will call for immediately foreign military intervention the second Qatar calls for one. (thanks Khaled)
PS If this guy (and I really don’t know anything about him) or any other guy or gal calls for foreign military intervention to help Palestinians, he/she would not even be allowed to utter the words in Western media.
Posted by As’ad AbuKhalil
Cicero of Syria
Mohammed sent me this: “Hi Just watched Cicero of al-Sham on al Jazeera English. Is there no clearer sign of the incompetence and/or destiny for failure of this Syrian opposition group that they still have this guy speaking? I don’t know much of his intellectual capabilities– but communication should be the last thing he is in charge of. If they can’t recognize that– how do they think they could run a country?”
Hamad Bin Jasim
At what point did the West decide that Hamad Bin Jasim is the best representative and spokesperson on behalf of the Arab peoples? Was I sleeping?
Posted by As’ad AbuKhalil
Nasser versus his imitators
Nasser resigned at the height of his popularity, while Arab despots refuse to resign at the height of their unpopularity.
Posted by As’ad AbuKhalil
http://angryarab.blogspot.com/
February 1st, 2012, 11:04 am
Revlon said:
???? ?????? ?????? ?? ????? ????? “???? ???” ?? ???? ????? ???? ??????? (?????? ???) ??????? ???? ?? ????? ??????? ??.
https://www.facebook.com/Syrian.Centre#!/photo.php?fbid=342773335745809&set=a.323190857704057.77408.316889915000818&type=1&theater
Statue of Assad syria founder in manbej, Aleppo had no one to protect it!
Either there are more statues than could be guarded by “80% of undeployed assad army (250,000) soldiers”, or the “80%” are actually spread so thin to even be able to prop up his falling living offsprings.
February 1st, 2012, 11:09 am
jad said:
HNN| ????? ?????? ???
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http://www.facebook.com/HNN.SYRIA
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http://www.facebook.com/HNN.SYRIA
February 1st, 2012, 11:12 am
Revlon said:
BBC-Translated-Homs-Syria ??????? ????? ?????? ?? ?????-?????
BBC report on deliberate, brutal targeting of children by regime forces.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=zDWYpE8JmU4
Uploaded by JingJangJongJing on Jan 30, 2012
Listen especially to Thamer AlSahr3i’s mother’s account of her last words with her child.
February 1st, 2012, 11:21 am
jad said:
When the tragedy of children’s death become a disgusting propaganda for political gains. A story of 4 children in Lattakia died in a fire in their apartment used to agitate the public against the regime and in the media as a propaganda.
???? ???? ????????? ????? ????? ???????? ??? ????? ??????? ??????! ???? ??? – ????????
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??????? ??????? ??????? ???? ???? ?? ?????? ?????? ?????? ???? ?? ??????? ?? ?????? ??? ??? ??????? ???? ??????? ??????? ????? ???? ???????? ??? ?? ???? ??????? ??????? ?? ???? ????????? ???? ????? “??????” ?????? ??????? ???????? ????? ?????? ???????? ????? ??? ?????? ??”??????” ?? ??????? ????????.
??????? ?? ??? ?????? ?? ????? ???? ??? ????? ??????? ???????? ??? ?? ?????? ????? ????? ?? ???? ??????? ?? ?????? ???? ???? “?????? ??????? ?? ?????? ????? ?????? ????? ?? ????? ??????? ??? ???? ?? ??? ??????? ??? ????? ?? ????? ?????? ??????? ??? ?????? ???? ??????? ?????.
???? ?? ??????? ???? ?? ????? ????? ??????? ?? ??? ??????? ???????? ???? ??????? ???? ??????? ????? ?????????? ???????? ??????????? ?????? ??????? ??????? ??????? ?????? ???????? ?? ????? ??????? ??? ????? ??? ????? ?? ?????? ??? ????? ??????? ???? ?? ????? ???? ?????? ??? ??? ?? ??????? ???????.
?? ????? ??? ???? ???? ??????? ?? ??? ???????? ?? ?? ???? ???? ??? ?????? ??? ??????? ?????? ?? ??? ????? ??????? ??? ????? ?????? ?? ??????? ???? ????? ??????? ????? ????? ????? ???? ??????? ??????? ????? ??? ??? ??? ??????? ???? ??????? ?????? ??? ?? ?????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ???????? ?????? ?? ?????? ??? ??????? ??????? ????? ??????? ????? ????? ?? ?????? ??????.???????? ?? ????? ??? ???? ??????? ??????? ????? ????? “?? ????? ???? ????? ??? ????? ??? ?????? ?????????? ???? ?????????? ?? ?? ?????? ?????? ??? ??????.
???? ???? ?????? ?????: “???? ?? ???????? ???? ??? ?????? ??????? ???? ??? ??????? ???? ??????? ??? ????? ??? ????????”.
??? ???? ??? ?????? ??????? ??? ???????? ???? “????? ?????????? ????? ???????” ?? ???? ????? ??? ?? ????? ??????? ?? ???? ???? ??????? ?????? ?????? ?? ???? ????? ?? ??????? ??? ?? ????? ????????? ??????? ?? ???? ???? ??? ?????? ?????? ??????? ???? ???? ?? ??? ????? ???? ??? ???????? ???????? ?? ????? ??????? ???????? ???? ???? ?????? ?? ??????? ??????? ??????? ???? ?????? ???????.
?? ???? ???? ????? ????? ????? ??????? ??????? ??? ??????? ??????? ???? ???? ?????? ???? ????? ?? ?? ??????? ????????? ?????? ???? ??????? ?? ????? ???????? ??? ??????? ?? ??? ????? ????? ?????? ???? ?? ?????? ??? ????? ??? ???? ??? ???? ????? ?? ????? ????? ????? ???? ??? ?? ??? ?????? ??????: “??? ????? ???????? ???? ?? ??? ??? ?? ?? ???????.. ???? ?? ??? ?? ??????? ??? ?????? ??????? ??? ????? ??? ?? ???????? “???????”? ??? ??? ???? ??????? ????? ???? ?? ????????? ????? ????? ??? ?????? ???? ????? ????? ??????? ????????? ?????? ???? ?????? ?? ?????? ??? ?? ????? ????? ????? ?????????? ?? ??????? ????????? ?? ???? ??????? ???? ????? ??????? ??? ????????? ??? ??? ???? ?????”.
?????? ??????: “??? ?? ?????? ??????? ??? ???? ?? ???????? ????? ??? ???? ???? ?? ??? ?????? ???? ????? ???? ???? ????? ?? ?????? ???? ?? ?? ??? ?????? ?? ??????? ?? ??? ???? ????? ?? ???? ??? ???? ???? ??????? ????????.”
???? ??? ???? ?? ??? ????? ??????? ?? ????? ????? ????? ????? ????? ????? ?????????? ???? ???????? ?????? ??????? ????? ???? ???? ??????? ??? ?????? ???? ??? ???? ?????? ?? ???? ??? ????? ???????.
??? ??? ????? ?????? ??????? ???? ??? ????: “???? ???? ??? ??? ????? ?????? ???? ??? ?????? ???? ??????? ????? ??????? ??? ???? ??????? ?? ???? ???? ???? ??? ??? ?????? ?????? ??? ????? ?????? ???? ?? ??????? ????? ??? ????? ??????? ??? ????? ???????? ???? ?????? ?? ???? ??? ?? ????? ????????? ????????”.
????? ?????? ??????? ?? ?????? ??????? ???? ?????? ????????? ??? ???? ??? ??? ??????? ???? ????? ?? ??? ?????? ?? ???????? ??? ??????? ???? ?????? ??????? ????? ???? ???????? ??????? ?? ????? ??? ???? ?? ????? ??? ?????? ??????? ????????? ?? ???? ?????? ????? ?? ????? ??? ?????? ???? ????? ?? ?????? ??? ?????? ?????? ?????? ??? ?? ????? ??????? ?? ?? ????.
??? ???? ????? ????? ?? ????? ??? ??????? ???? ???? ???? ?????? ?? ??? ??????? ?? ??? ??????? ??? ???? ?? ????? ???? ?? ?????? ?? ?????? ?? ???????? ???? ??? ?????? ?????? ????? ????? ??????? ???? ?????? ??? ????? ??? ???? ????? ?????? ????? ????? “??????” ??? ????? ??????.
????? ????? ??? ??? ?? ??? ????? ?? ???????? ?? ??????? ????? ???? ????? ?? ????? ?? ???? ???? ??????? ?????? ?? ???????? ?????? ??? ??????? ??????? ???? ?? ???? ????? ?? ???? ??? ?????? ?????? ?????? ?????. ????? ??? ??????? ????? ??????? ?? ????? ????????? ?? ??? ?????? ???? ?? ??? ???????.
??????? ???????.. ????? ??????? ?? ???? ??????? ????????? ??? ?????? ??????? ???? ????? ??????? ??????? ??? ??? ??? ????? ?? ???? ??? ?? ????? ???? “???????” ????? ?????? ??? ??? ?? ?????? ????? ???? ???? ??????? ???????? ???? ???? ??? ????? ?????? ???????.. ????? ?????? ?? ???? ?????? ???? ???? ??? ?? ??????? ?? ??????? ??? ??????? ???????? ??? “????”?
http://www.arabi-press.com/?page=article&id=20621
February 1st, 2012, 11:23 am
Revlon said:
93. jad:
((HNN| ????? ?????? ???
??? ???? ????? ??? ??????
http://www.facebook.com/HNN.SYRIA
????? ??????? ??????? ??????? ?? ???
????? ??? ??? :
???? ?? ????? ??? ??? ????? ?? ????? ?????? ?? ????? ????? ????????
???? ???? ??? ??????? ? ????? ???????? ???? ?? ???????
??? ?? ?????? ??? ??? ?? ??? ???????? ???? ??? ?? ??????? ???? ???????
???? ???? ?? ?????? ??????? ????????? ??????? ????))
( Assad forces discover a tunnel between Baba Amr and Khlidiyeh?)
Do you check what you post?
Are you serious?
Do you know how far Baba Amr is from Khalidiyeh in Homs?
They are at opposite ends of the city; the first is in the west and the other is in the east, that is at least 5 Kilometers !!
Check Google map!
Does one need to read the rest of your post?!
February 1st, 2012, 11:34 am
Revlon said:
???? ???? ????? ????? ?????? ???????? ?????? ???? 1982
Joint Press Communique in memoriam of Hama massacre
??????? ??????.. ???????
Forgive us Hama!
01/02/20112
http://www.facebook.com/TheSyrianNationalCouncil
?????? ??? ???? ?? ????? ???? ???? ???? ??????? ?????? ??? ????? ?????? ????? ??????? ?????????? ?????? ????? ????? ??? ?? ?????? ?? ????? ?? ??? ???? ?????? ????? ?????? ?? ????? ???????..
?????? ??? ????.. ???? ?????? ??????? ???? ????? ???????? ?????? ???? ?????? ????? ????????? ???????? ???? ?????? ?????? ??? ????? ???.. ??? ???? ??? ????? ??????? ????? ?? ??????? ?????? ????? ??? ??????? ????????..
?? ?????? ?????? ??????? ?? ????? ???? ????? ????? ??? ?????? ??? ???? ???? ????? ?? ????????? ?? ??????? ??? ??????? ??? ??? ?????? ??? ????? ????? ?????? ???? ????? ????? ??? ??????? ?? ????? ????? ????? ?? ???? ????? ?????? ????? ?????..
?? ????? ?????? ?????? ??????..
?????? ?? ????? ???????? ????? ?? ????? ?????? ?? ???? ???????? ??????..
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?? ????? ?????? ?????? ??????..
????? ??????.. ????? ???????.. ??????? ?????? ??????? ???????? ?? ??? ?????? ?????? ?????? ??? ????? ??????: ???? ????.. ???????? ???? ??????? ??????.. ???? ?????? ?????? ?? ?????? ?????? ????????? ????????? ??? ????? ????? ???? ????? ??????? ????????..
?? ????? ?? ??? ????? ????? .. ?? ????? ?? ??? ????? ????????? ??????.. ?? ????? ?? ??? ?????.. ?? ????? ?? ???????? ? ?????? ????????? ?????? ?? ????? ?? ?? ???? ??????.. ??? ?????? ?????? ????? ???? ?????? ??????.. ??? ???? ????.. ???????? ?? ??? ????? ??????? ??? ??????? ????? ?????????..
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February 1st, 2012, 11:42 am
Revlon said:
While “80% of Assad troops are still in limbo” FSA manages to add more strategic territories to its control.
????? ???? ????? ??? ????
FSA seizes control over Brada River Valley region, west of Damascus.
2012/02/01
???? ? ?????? ??:
http://www.sooryoon.net/?p=46427
???? ????? ?????? ?? ???? ?? ???? ????? ?????? ???? ??? ????? ???? ??? ??? ???? ???? ??? ????? ????? ????? ?? ????? ????? ????? ????? ?? ??? ????? ????? ?? ????? ?? ??????? ????? ?????? ???????? ??????? ??? ???? ????? ?????? ???? ??? ??? ?????? ???? ???? ??????? ??????? ???????? ??? ???? ????? ???? ?? ???????????? ????? ???? ????? ????? ???? ??? ??????? ?????? ???????? ??? ???? ????? ?????? ?? ???? ????? ?????? ????? ????? ????? ?????..
………….. More
February 1st, 2012, 12:00 pm
Jad said:
LOLOLOL
You have no clue, do you!
Ya ‘faheem’ in Homs the sewage system is a network of tunnels that connect the whole city, some sections are as wide as 3meters where a car can go through .I’m surprised that your terrorist friends didn’t tell you!
February 1st, 2012, 12:05 pm
zoo said:
Russia and China provide cover for Assad’s Syria
Published On Tue Jan 31 2012
Bessma Momani
http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorialopinion/article/1124472–russia-and-china-provide-cover-for-assad-s-syria
Gulf Arab countries, led by Qatar’s Sheik Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, have stepped up their criticism of the Syrian regime and recalled their observers from the Arab League mission to Syria. It is expected that they would favour a United Nations resolution advocating military intervention. But don’t expect much to transpire. As the death toll continues to rise above 5,000 Syrian lives, it is time to come to terms with the likelihood of a protracted stalemate. Unlike the dramatic and rapid overthrow of other Arab regimes, the Syrian impasse will continue as suspicions and divisions among world powers produce continued inaction.
Russian and Chinese support for the Syrian regime will ensure two powerful Security Council vetoes to any resolution calling for armed intervention and toughened economic sanctions. Both believe that they were duped last year by western and NATO parties in the implementation of UN resolution 1973, which was meant to defend Libyan civilians but led to the overthrow of the Gadhafi regime. These two rising economic powers are adamant about putting western states in their place. They refuse to see the UN used as a vehicle to legitimize U.S. and European foreign policy interests.
The decision on Syria is closely related to that on Iran. As western governments push for a tougher UN sanctions regime for an alleged nuclear weapons program, the Russians and Chinese will refuse to go along and jeopardize their military and economic ties with Iran.
Moreover, these two states view proposed UN resolutions on Syria and Iran as tactics having a common western goal: to produce regime change throughout the region.
At the same time, Russian and Chinese support for the Syrians complements their own perverse narrative on the root cause of domestic opposition on the streets of Moscow and Tibet: “Western powers are funneling ideas and money to insurgent movements, leading to foreign sponsored terrorism and protests.”
This all-too-familiar-line is repeated continuously by Syria’s Bashar Assad. Support for protestors’ rights to demonstrate is interpreted as interference in the sovereignty of these countries.
Due to the economic crisis, western powers have been weakened and both the Russians and the Chinese perceive this. Fiscal pressures in the United States and Europe mean that there will be little enthusiasm for another war. Barack Obama and Nicolas Sarkozy, two of the largest contributors to NATO forces, face stiff re-election campaigns in 2012, and their claims of foreign policy success have not placated domestic criticism of their economic policies.
Similarly, the Russians and the Chinese are also undergoing leadership changes this year and both presidents in-waiting, Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping, are hardliners who will refuse to compromise with western interests at the UN.
As for the Arab Gulf countries that are championing the case against Assad at the UN, they are small sheikdoms that don’t have armies to speak of. Qatar has an army of 11,000, 70 per cent of it manned by non-Qataris. And when the Bahrainis crushed their own Arab Spring uprisings last year, the Gulf countries needed to hire foreign mercenaries to fill the ranks of Saudi forces to get the job done. Arab countries that have larger armies — Egypt, Iraq and Libya — are not the least bit interested in helping the Syrian opposition when their own regime changes have yet to bare the fruits of success.
Increasingly, elements of the Syrian opposition are calling on the international community to intervene. The Gulf Arab states and western governments may be sympathetic to the Syrian plight. But, unfortunately, the Syrian tragedy will continue as the perfect storm of political and military inaction prevails. The people of Hama, Deraa, Homs and Idlib will see this simply as abandonment and not as a symptom of the shift in global economic and political power from the West to the rest.
Bessma Momani is an associate professor at the University of Waterloo and senior fellow at the Centre for International Governance and Innovation in Waterloo, and at the Brookings Institution in Washington D.C.
February 1st, 2012, 12:16 pm
Revlon said:
99. Jad
((Ya Faheem in Homs the sewage system is a network of tunnels that connect the whole city, some sections are as wide as 3meters where a car can go through .I’m surprised that your terrorist friends didn’t tell you!))
?????? ??? ??? ?? ??? ???????? ???? ??? ?? ??????? ???? ???????
???? ???? ?? ?????? ??????? ????????? ??????? ????
???= Tunnel
Majrour= Sewer!
One does not discover sewers!
Sewers do not connect neighbourhoods!
I commend you for regaining control of your self and editing your initial insulting exclamation!
February 1st, 2012, 12:16 pm
Alan said:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=at2RtLrNqs8
February 1st, 2012, 12:25 pm
zoo said:
Who wants NATO Back?
Blame Nato for the mess in Libya
http://gulfnews.com/opinions/columnists/blame-nato-for-the-mess-in-libya-1.974030
By Ramzy Baroud, Special to Gulf News
Published: 00:00 February 1, 2012
Unrepresentative NTC is unable to control militias, tribes and factions, which are committing human rights abuses in a bid to settle scores
…..
It turned out that ‘mission accomplished’ in Libya was yet another hoax. The result is no less devastating than what transpired in Iraq.
The current situation in Libya is promising a multi-layered conflict involving numerous militias, tribes and factions, all organised around ideological, familial and political objectives that are unique to Libya itself.
…
To berate Libyans for failing to adhere to human rights is brazen hypocrisy, especially as many of Nato victims are still not fully counted for. The behaviour of militias, and the unrepresentative NTC are simply a continuation of the very violent legacy set forth by the very Nato countries that are demanding accountability, democracy and the rule of law.
February 1st, 2012, 12:32 pm
jad said:
“Sewers do not connect neighbourhoods!” Sure….LOLOLOL
NO CLUE WHATSOEVER!
February 1st, 2012, 12:35 pm
zoo said:
Hillary Rodent Clinton talks at the UN about Syria
Remarks at UN Security Council Session on Syria
By Hillary Clinton
http://www.realclearworld.com/articles/2012/02/01/hillary_clinton_speech_on__syria.html
February 1st, 2012, 12:37 pm
Alan said:
http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=29014
February 1st, 2012, 12:37 pm
Alan said:
CLINTON: SYRIA ISN’T LIBYA
http://www.veteranstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/libya-syria-us-Israel-war-with-china-russia.jpg
Secretary of state tells UN ‘Syria is a unique situation that requires its own approach’
Like Israel, America only picks fights against defenseless victims, and given the fact that Syria has big friends in the region, namely RUSSIA, that means we have to find someone else to beat up. Rest assured however we will continue to work on the Russians until they see things our way and as soon as they do–BOOM!–a big red, white and blue fist to the face of Syria, like we did Iraq and Egypt.’
Is it not amazing–there are civil wars all over the world…’Oppressed’ people all over the world, and yet America’s response is to shrug the shoulders and say ‘BFD’.
However, civil war, oppression et al in a country where it is BENEFICIAL to the Jewish state, and all the freaking-sudden Uncle Sam just GOTS ta get involved and bring ‘justice’ for the underdog.
ynet
WASHINGTON – The Syria crisis requires a different approach than the one utilized in Libya’s case, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Tuesday, hinting that there will be no military intervention to stop the growing bloodshed in the country.
Speaking at the United Nations Security Council, Clinton said: “I know that some members here are concerned that we are headed toward another Libya. That is a false analogy. Syria is a unique situation that requires its own approach, tailored to the specific circumstances on the ground.”
“It is time for the international community to put aside our own differences and send a clear message of support to the people of Syria,” she said.
The secretary of state also declared that Syrian President Bashar Assad was doomed, and that sooner or later there will be a new government in Damascus.
Security Council wants immediate ceasefire in Syria (Photo: AP)
“We all know that change is coming to Syria. Despite its ruthless tactics, the Assad regime’s reign of terror will end and the people of Syria will chart their own destiny.” she said. “The question is how many more innocent civilians will die before Assad bows to the inevitable, and how unstable a country he will leave behind.”
‘Killing machine still at work’
Meanwhile, Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Elaraby called on the Security Council to take “rapid and decisive action” while Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim al-Thani warned that Syria’s “killing machine is still at work.”
“Do not let the Syrian people down in its plight,” Elaraby said, calling for council backing for a European-Arab draft resolution that endorses the Arab plan. He said Arab nations were trying to avoid foreign military intervention in the 10-month-old Syrian crisis that has killed thousands of civilians, a point Sheikh Hamad also emphasized. The Qatari prime minister suggested the Council should use economic leverage instead.
“We are not calling for a military intervention,” Sheikh Hamad said. “We are advocating the exertion of a concrete economic pressure so that the Syrian regime might realize that it is imperative to meet the demands of its people.”
“We are not after regime change, for this is a matter that is up to the Syrian people to decide,” he added.
February 1st, 2012, 12:46 pm
jad said:
Talking of ‘sewage’: the ‘rebels’ plan for Aleppo is to make people there to suffer by all kind of shortages, from gas and fuel to… BREAD…
Terrorists are trying to empty the market from bread by buying it and then throw it in the sewage just to create another shortage, how……moral!!!
?????? ??? 2000 ???? ?? ????? ????.. ?????? ???????: ????? ????? ????? ?? ????? ????
???????? – ???
??? ???? ?????? ?????? ??????? ????? ???? ????????? ?? ?? ???? ????? ???????? ?????? ???? ??????? ???????? ?? ????? ???? ??????, ??? ??? ?? ??????? ?????? ???? ?????? ??????? ???? ??????? ?????, ?????? ?? ?????? ?????? ??? ??? ???? ????? ??? ??? ???? ????? ?? ???? ????? ?????? ????? ??? ???? ?? ???? ?????? ????? ???? ??? ???????? ??? ??? ????? ????? ???? ???? ?????? ??????? ???????? ???? ?? ????? ??????.
????? ????? ?? ????? ?????? ??? ??????? ???????? ?? ????? ???? ???? ?? ???? ??? ??????? ?????? ?? ??? ???? ????? ??????? ???? ???? ????? ????? ?? ??? ??? ?????? ??? ????? ??? ???????, ??? ????? ?????? ?????? ??? ????? ???????? ?? ????? ???? ???????? ??? ?? ????? ??? ???? ?????? ?????? ????? ??? ??? ?????? ???????? ???? ???? ???????? ???? ???? ??????? ??? ????? ????? ?? ?????.
???? ???????? ?? ??? ???? ?????? ??? ????? ????? ??????? ??????? ?? ??? ??? ????? ?? ?????? ????? ???? ????? ????? ???? ????? ???? ????, ???? ???? ??? ???? ??? ????? ?? ??????? ???? ???? ????????? ??? ??? ????? ??? ?? ????? ????? ????? ?? ??? ??? ???? ?? 3-5 ????? ???? 24 ???? ????? ?????? ??? ?????? ??????? ???? ???? ??????? ??????? ????? ??? ??? ???? ????? ???? ???? ??????? ??? 15 ???? ???? ?? ???? ?? ????? ??? ????? ????? ??????? ????? ?? ??? ???? ???? ??????, ???? ??? ??? ??????? ?? ?? ??????? ???? ??? ??? ??? ?????? ???????? ????? ?? ??? ?????? ????? ?? ????? ????, ?? ???? ??????? ??? ????? ????? ??????? ???? ??????? ??? ?? ???? ???? ?? ??? ???? ???? ?????? ??????? ???????? ?????? ???? ???? ?????? ?? ????? ???? ???? ??????? ?? ???? ????? ?????? ????? ????? ???? ?????? ??? ???? ?????.
???? ????? ?? ?????? ?? ???? ???? ?? 48 ???? ?????? ??? ????? ??????? ???? ???? ?? ??? ?? ???? ????? ???? ????? ??? ????? ????? ???? ????? ???? ???? ??? ???????.
????? ????? ?? ?? ????? ???? ?? ???? ??????? ??? ?? ????? ????? ?? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ???????? ???????? ???????? ?? ?????? ???????? ???? ?? ????? ??????? ??? ??? ???? ????? ??? ???? ?????? ??????? ?? ??? ??????? ?????? ???? ???????? ?? ??? ?????? ????? ????? ???? ???? ???? ??????? ??????? ??? ??? ????? ?? ????? ???? ?????????.
???? ????? ???????? ?? ??? ???? ??? ??? ???? ????? ??? ???? ?????? ????? ???? ???? ??? ????? 2000 ???? ??? ????? ?? ????? ????? ????? ?? ????? ???? ????? ??? ??????? ???????? ??? ??????? .
????? ??????? ??? ???? ??????? ???????? ???? ???? ???? ???????? ??? ??????? ??????? ???? ????? ????? ?? ??????? ?? ???????? ??????? ???? ??? ?? ????? ????? ?????? ?? ????? ?????? ???.
???? ???? ???? ???? ??? ????? ????? ?? ????? ??? ?????? ?????? ?? ???? ?????? ?? ???????? ???? ??? ???? ??????? ?????? 20 ???? ??? ????? ????? ?? ?????? ?????? ?? ???? ????????? ??? ??????? ?? ????? 70 ???? ?? ?????? ???????? ?????? ??????? ?????? ????? ???? ????? ???? 265 ???? ??????? ?? ????? ?????? ???? ????? ?? ???? ???? ?????.
????? ????? ??? ??? ????? ????? ?????? ??? ???? ????? ??? ???? ?????? ?????? ??????? ?????? ?????? ????????? ???????? ???? ???? ??????? ?????? ????? ???? ????? ????? .
http://www.shukumaku.com/Content.php?id=41063
February 1st, 2012, 12:50 pm
Alan said:
FROM FLORIDA TO BEIRUT–GRANDSTANDING AND BETRAYAL
http://theuglytruth.wordpress.com/2012/02/01/from-florida-to-beirut-grandstanding-and-betrayal/#more-34969
February 1st, 2012, 12:54 pm
Tara said:
Listening to Hillary, I don’t think the US is in full force in regard to replacing Assad. Unfortunately, I think they are only giving us rhetoric. Her speech did not sound very sincere to me. I think the US is inclined to keep the rabbit in Jolan, just in case.
We are virtually on our own…
February 1st, 2012, 12:59 pm
bronco said:
The UNSC ‘urgent’ vote hammered by the Qatar’s lead hardliners to “stop immediately the killing machine’ …maybe next week?
Wednesday, Alain Juppé said: “We hope that, maybe, during the course of next week, we would have a vote”
It seems that the Arab FM meeting planned on Sunday, if it is not postponed, will have to face the possible failure of their escalation to the UNSC.
February 1st, 2012, 1:07 pm
jna said:
I endorse this sentiment:
As’ad AbuKhalil
http://angryarab.blogspot.com/2012/01/lies-of-syrian-opposition.html
February 1st, 2012, 1:14 pm
Tara said:
Hamad appears to be the only freind of the Syrian people. He is the only one acting out of benevolence and without an “agenda”. I worry about the voice of the AL when Qatar is no longer presiding. Al -Arabi does not impress me that much.
February 1st, 2012, 1:17 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
Fabrications by the thugs on SC, no one should believe them, all of them, they all are liers,and they are not ashamed to lie,even their analysis is bad , it is based on their fabrications, they learned their lies from the regime,who lies and lies and lies, their media channel Aldunia,is famous for lying, and the reason why they hate Aljazeera and Akarabiyeh is because they want to continue lying.
Almuallem is their idol,he lied when he showed the faked video, and he lied when he signed the agreement with the AL, and when they signed the protocol, and they continue lying and killing syrians, and their claim that the revolution was armed from the begining is their major lie.
The regime lies when they claim they are resistant system, they lie when they claim that their agenda is freedom union and socialism, they reached power by lying, when Bashar pray in the holidays he is lying as he does not know the fatiha .
whoever lies he is not reliable,
February 1st, 2012, 1:21 pm
Alan said:
Hamad appears to be the only freind of the Syrian people
February 1st, 2012, 1:22 pm
ann said:
China Opposes Forced ‘Regime Change’ in Syria – February 1, 2012
China has reiterated that the actions of the Security Council on the Syrian issue should comply with the purposes and principals of the Charter of the United Nations, and help ease the tensions in Syria
http://www.bjreview.com.cn/headline/txt/2012-02/01/content_422896.htm
China on Tuesday voiced its firm opposition to the use of force to resolve the Syrian issue, the practice to forcefully push for the “regime change” and other actions which violate the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and the basic norms guiding the international relations.
Li Baodong, the Chinese permanent representative to the United Nations, made the statement as he was taking the floor at an open meeting of the UN Security Council on the current situation of Syria.
“We firmly oppose the use of force to resolve the Syrian issue, firmly oppose the practice such as pushing through the ‘regime change’, which violate the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and the basic norms governing the international relations, ” Li said.
“China has all along taken a cautious approach to sanctions,” Li said. “Sanctions, which rather than help resolve the issue, often lead to further complication of the situation.”
China supports a draft resolution proposed by Russia on the issue of Syria, Li said, adding that he also took note of a new draft circulated by Morocco on Friday in the Security Council.
“China is ready to act in accordance with the above principled stance, and engage in an active and constructive way in consultations and work with all the parties concerned to promote the proper settlement of the Syrian issue through political dialogue,” Li said.
Arab states and Western countries are pushing for the adoption of their joint draft resolution at the Security Council to demand what they called “political transition” in Syria while a Russian- drafted text called on all the parties in Syria to put an immediate end to violence and resolve the Syrian crisis with a Syrian-led political process.
“China has reiterated that the actions of the Security Council on the Syrian issue should comply with the purposes and principals of the Charter of the United Nations, and help ease the tensions in Syria, help promote political dialogue and defuse disputes, and help maintain peace and stability in the Middle East region,” he said.
“China is of the view that the Syrian people’s request for reform and safeguard of their interests should be respected,” Li said. “It is imperative to put an immediate end to all violence in Syria and oppose and stop the killing of innocent civilians.”
“At the same time, an inclusive political process with a wide participation of all Syrian parties must be started without delay to speed up reform and resolve differences and disputes peacefully through dialogue and consultations, so as to restore stability to Syria and enable it to embark on a path of all-round development, he said.
“Syria is an important country in the Middle East,” he said. ” Its stability concerns the security and stability of the entire Middle East region. Like other members of the Security Council, China has followed closely the changes of the situation in Syria.”
“We believe that Syria and its people are able and resourceful enough to find the way to resolving the issue, and find a political system and mode of economic growth suited to Syria’s national conditions,” Li said. “The international community may play a positive and constructive role in this regard, and provide assistance for the peaceful and political settlement of the Syrian issue through dialogue.”
“Syria is a member of the Arab world,” he said. “China hopes to see a proper settlement of the Syrian crisis within the framework of the Arab League.”
“We support the efforts made by the Arab League to seek political solution of the Syrian issue, and maintain stability in the region,” he said. “We hope to see success of the mediation efforts by the Arab League.”
The Arab League observer mission plays a significant role in helping the international community learn about the real situation in Syria, he said. “We attach importance to the reports submitted by the Arab League observer mission.”
“We also hope that the Arab League observer mission will continue to fulfill its mandate and carry out objective and impartial investigations,” he said. “We call on the Syrian government and other parties concerned to have full cooperation with the mission in this regard.”
February 1st, 2012, 1:22 pm
ann said:
Russia says UN must rule out Syria intervention – Wed Feb 1, 2012
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/02/01/us-syria-idUSTRE80S08620120201
Russia said on Wednesday it would veto any U.N. resolution on Syria that it finds unacceptable, after demanding any measure rule out military intervention to halt the bloodshed touched off by protests against President Bashar al-Assad’s government.
February 1st, 2012, 1:28 pm
Tara said:
Selective tears repulse me. You are either humane or you aren’t. You can’t cry inhumanity perceived to be directed against you or yours only. This selectivity in my eyes is the epic of self degradation. Such feeling of sympathy to one’s kind only deserve nothing but contempt.
February 1st, 2012, 1:30 pm
jad said:
Why I have the most respect to Mr. Haytham Mannaa? Because unlike all the reactionary sectarian and nobrainers ‘SNC’ members he is a man of principles in my opinion he is the only opposition who could tear down this regime and rebuild a true ‘STATE’ out of it through his message of reason.
He was the only one in this interview who wasn’t emotional or even using his political background to gain anything.
When the ignorant reporter told the host that the Syrians AKA (FSA) are calling for some kind of international intervention, as usual they say that ‘Oh, no, we don’t want Libya style, for now just give us a NFZ’…without telling us that the next step they want is for the west to start the bombarding and occupy Syria.
Anyway, Haytham said that his approach is different and they don’t want this strategy we want to keep the ‘STATE’ intact and the ‘ARMY’ too, (During the whole interview he never interrupted anybody) The reporter (Moroccan/Egyptian not sure) in a rude way interrupted him to say that the government is an ‘ALAWITE’ which made Manna mad and disgusted and told him, ‘WHAT THIS LANGUAGE YOU ARE TALKING IN! We don’t talk in this manner, besides, we don’t have an ALAWITE government in Syria, it’s a mixed government….’ the reporter replied, ‘but all Syrians say that’ Mannaa answers in the same disgusted way something like ‘Certain Syrians may say that, besides, WHEN YOU DON’T KNOW THE COUNTRY..EXCUSE ME..BUT WE DON’T SAY IT’S AN ALAWITE GOVERNMENT’……
AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!
GO! Haytham Mannaa…
france 24;Haytham Manna
http://youtu.be/XmSxKvkYeWE?t=16m50s
February 1st, 2012, 1:32 pm
SYRIALOVER said:
Is the Syrian army strong and intact or is it collapsing?
They are chasing men for military reserves. It is making a big problem for families.
Ask your people inside Syria.
So what does this mean, why are they doing that?
February 1st, 2012, 1:33 pm
jad said:
Bronco
The AL postponed the meeting 3 days already
???? ???? “???????” ??? “?? ????? ?????? ????? ???????? ????? ??? ?????? ??? ?? ???? ??????”.
February 1st, 2012, 1:37 pm
bronco said:
#110. Tara
The USA seems to want to allow the Russian to deal with the situation.
Most ‘liberated’ Arab countries have developed an ambiguous and somehow aggressive tone with the USA. Taking a stronger role on Syria that may result is a mess like Libya is not something the USA needs now. They prefer not to take a lead.
The Syrian governemnt appears to have long terms political allies.
The international sympathy for the opposition is based solely on the violence and the reported human rights abuses. After 10 months, the opposition has no credible and accepted political program. Therefore, if the violence stops, the international support to the opposition will stop too.
That’s what the regime and the Russians want and that’s what the hardline opposition does not as it would be its demise.
February 1st, 2012, 1:38 pm
bronco said:
#121. jad
thanks for the update on the AL meeting postponed to the 11 feb.
I guess they are waiting for the UNSC vote, otherwise they have nothing to talk about.
February 1st, 2012, 1:41 pm
irritated said:
#114 Majedalkhadoon
You beat your previous record : you used 16 times the word ‘lie’ in your last post.
February 1st, 2012, 1:50 pm
Tara said:
Bronco,
Smart assessment. Agree with most of your points except that the opposition has no political program. What exactly missing from their program?
Unfortunately, the SNC appears to be lacking a charisma. A charisma that emotionally attracts you to leaders. This is negatively impacting the revolution, plus the “Islamic taint”. Syrians seem to be paying the price for the world’s perception of the Islamic outcome of other Arab spring revolution.
February 1st, 2012, 1:51 pm
Aldendeshe said:
@JAD,
You are right…It is not an Alawite Government. It is a Governmnet that is totally controlled by Alawites.
February 1st, 2012, 1:52 pm
jad said:
The Libyan volatile troubles that we don;t hear anything about in the media it may be spreading to Tunisia, the media are saying that it might be ‘Alqaeda’…how come nobody is questioning this claim yet!..I forgot, no need, since TUNISIA is a target to Alqaeda while Syria is NOT!
???? ?????? ????: ???????? ??? ?????? ????? ????? ???? ????? ?? ?????
???? ???? ???????? ??????? ??? ????? ?? “???????? ???? ??? ?????? ????? ?? ????? ?????? ?????? ???? ???? ???????? ????? ??? ??? ?? ????? ??????? ??????? ????? ???? ??????? ???? ??? ???? ???? ???? ????? ?? ?????? ??? ????? ?? ??????? ????????”.
????? ????? ?? ???? ???? ?? “???? ????? ?????? ????? ??? ???? ?? ????? ?????? ????? ?? ????? ????? ???????? ????? ?????? ????? ??? ????????”? ????? ??? ?????? ????? ?????? ?????.
?? ??? ????? ?? ???? ???? ????????? ???? ??? ??? “?? ?????? ?? ???? ?????? ??????? ???? ????? ?????? ??????? ??? ??? ?????? ??? ?????? ?? ?? ???????????? ??????? ???? ??? ??????? ?????? ?? ?? ???? ????? ?? ????? ????? ???”.
??? ??? ?? ???? ??? ????? ???? ????? “???????” ?? ???? ?????? ???????? ?? ??????? ????? ?????? ??????? ???????? ???? “??? ????? ??? ???? ??? ??? ???? ?? ???? ???? ????? ???”.
???? ?? ???? ??? ????? ?????? ??? ?????? ?? ?????? ???? ?????? ????? ?? “?????? ??????? ?? ????? ??? ?????? ?? ??????? ????? ?? ??? ????? ?????? ??????? ?? ????? ??????? ????? ????? ???? ????? ???? ?? ????? ??????”? ????? ??? ?? ??????? “????? ??????? ??? ???? ??????? ???????? ? ????? ??????? ??? ??????”.
In new Egypt, 35 killed in a football match!?
???? 35 ???? ???? ???? ?? 300 ????? ?? ????? ??? ??? ?????? ??? ??? ?? ??? ???? ?? ???.
February 1st, 2012, 1:52 pm
Juergen said:
In the german press they said that Clinton has tried to talk over the phone with foreign minister Lawrow prior to the security council meeting. He was in Australia at the time, and the phone was not answered nor replied for 24 hours. She had even their australian counterpart tell lawrow that Clinton wanted to speak to him, and yet he surely sticked to the russian way of seeing this matter: all is said regarding to Syria.
February 1st, 2012, 1:58 pm
irritated said:
#113 Tara
“Qatar acting out of benevolence and without an “agenda”.
Qatar has a clear and full agenda, just read what it is actively doing about the Taliban, Hamas, Jamaa al Islamiya, the Moslem Brotherhood, Libya and Tunisia.
Sorry, but you are really naive. In politics there is nothing called “benevolence”.
February 1st, 2012, 1:59 pm
jad said:
The Russians didn’t just ignore Clinton’s calls, the Russian TV cut her speech in the UN the moment she starts speaking 🙂
February 1st, 2012, 2:06 pm
Tara said:
Irritated
Do not list me Qatar’s projects. Spell the goal of their “not benevolent ” agenda and let’s evaluate how credible you non-naive opinion is. Please refrain from using over- the-top conspiracy theories. I have lost taste for them too long ago during my naive existance. I prefer more down to earth “theories”. Ok?
February 1st, 2012, 2:13 pm
Alan said:
Russia invites Syrian representatives to Moscow for informal talks
MOSCOW, January 30 (Itar-Tass) — Russia urges Syrian authorities and the opposition to send their representatives to Moscow for holding informal talks without preconditions, the Foreign Ministry reported on Monday.
“Due to the non-easy situation in Syria and our strive for contributing to the settlement of the conflict in Syria by peaceful means, we called on the Syrian authorities and all opposition groups to send their representatives to Moscow within the mutually acceptable terms to hold informal talks without any preconditions. This would enable the Syrian parties to discuss any issues without restrictions, including preparations for an inter-Syrian dialogue under the LAS aegis,” the ministry said.
“Syria responded positively. We hope that the opposition will also give consent to our proposal within days,” the ministry added.
“We are convinced that the Moscow contacts are indispensable in order to immediately cease any violence in Syria, prevent bloodshed and confrontation in the society, and ensure the success of deep democratic transformations in the country in compliance with the aspirations of all Syrians,” the ministry said.
Syrian opposition did not receive an invitation to attend talks Moscow ?????
BEIRUT, January 30 (Itar-Tass) — Syria’s opposition did not receive any invitations calling for them to be involved in talks with the representatives of Bashar al-Assad’s government in Russia, an opposition member said on Monday.
“We have not received any offer like that officially and I think, if such an offer exists, it will be no more than an attempt to influence the (U.N.) Security Council. But I say clearly that our position has not changed and it is that there is no dialogue with (President Bashar al-Assad),” Abdel Baset Seda, a member of the Syrian council’s executive committee, told Reuters.
Earlier, the Russian Foreign Ministry reported that Russia urged the Syrian authorities and the opposition to send representatives to Moscow for holding informal contacts without preconditions. “Due to the non-easy situation in Syria and our strive for contributing to the settlement of the conflict in Syria by peaceful means, we called on the Syrian authorities and all opposition groups to send their representatives to Moscow within the mutually acceptable terms to hold informal contacts without any preconditions. This would the Syrian parties to discuss any issues without restrictions, including preparations for an inter-Syrian dialogue under the LAS aegis,” the ministry said. “We are convinced that the Moscow contacts are indispensable in order to immediately cease any violence in Syria, prevent bloodshed and confrontation in the society, and ensure the success of deep democratic transformations in the country in compliance with the aspirations of all Syrians,” the ministry said.
February 1st, 2012, 2:17 pm
Juergen said:
Jad
some truth one better hide well.
lets see how much Putin will manouver Russia into a dictatorship, and lets see how much longer the Russians will accept that. But i guess those demonstrations are again provoked by the US and Quatar right?
February 1st, 2012, 2:21 pm
bronco said:
#125. Tara
After 10 months, the SNC has failed in rallying the minorities and convincing the Syrians that it was best for them to renounce to Bashar al Assad.
Their political program was so caricatural that most western countries told them to go back to the drawing table. They resorted to cheap promises to all the enemies of Syria: They said that “their” Syria will break up with Iran and Hezbollah, they promised anti-Syrians Lebanese that they will be their ally. This is not a political program these are signs of political impotence.
Then the SNC supported the FSA and approved their blind violence.
That was the end of their credibility as a replacement to Bashar.
The western countries were unconvinced by the SNC, it is normal that hesitant Syrians lost hope in the opposition and maybe reluctantly rallied back to Bashar.
The AL and HBJ thought they could take the lead for a ‘blind’ change without a serious and reliable opposition, just basing their request on a ‘humanitarian disaster’. This is why their attempts to escalate to the UNSC is immature. A regime change to solve a humanitarian issue without a fall back is much more dangerous that what is happening now.
If a solution exists, it is through a unconditional dialog, not in a Western diktat based on the wrong assumption that the Syrians have more trust in the leaderless opposition than on their own current leaders.
February 1st, 2012, 2:32 pm
Alan said:
We expect the end of March! Life will show! All will be in chocolate
February 1st, 2012, 2:32 pm
Majed97 said:
From the BBC few minutes ago…
Up to 40 people have been killed in fan clashes following a football match in the Egyptian city of Port Said, state television reports.
The deaths occurred after supporters invaded the pitch following a match between top-tier clubs Masry and Ahly on Wednesday.
It is feared the death toll could rise as scores have been injured.
Some of the dead in Wednesday’s clashes were security officers, the Associated press quoted a morgue official saying.
The BBC’s Jon Leyne in Cairo says it appears fans had taken knives into the stadium.
Our correspondent says the lack of the usual level of security in the stadium might have contributed to the clashes.
Police in Egypt have been keeping a much lower profile since last year’s popular protests that ousted President Hosni Mubarak from power.
Television pictures have shown images of fans descending into the stadium, chasing fans and players.
Some were cornered in the stadium parts of which were set on fire.
Egyptian fans are notoriously violent, says our correspondent, particularly supporters of Ahly known as the Ultras.
They have been heavily implicated in the political confrontations recently, our correspondent adds.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-16845841
February 1st, 2012, 2:43 pm
jad said:
“Up to 40 people have been killed”
Make them 73!
???? 73 ????? ?? ????? ??? ???? ??????? ???? ????? ??? ??? ?????? ??? ??? ??? ????? ?????? ??????? ????? ??? ???? ???? ??????.
??? ????? ??????? ??? ????? ??????
http://youtu.be/bOSjge5v2go
February 1st, 2012, 2:50 pm
Alan said:
133. JUERGEN
Putin not a horror! The person has lifted his country from a bog and it is not pleasantthe for the West ! Dictatorship happens sometimes requirements of time! For example Hitler ? Stalin. People should be accepted as they is! The stage of powerful Russia isn’t finished yet! You can’t argues that after disorder of the USSR the USA has increased the military budget several times! It has appeared that the USA not in a condition to be transformed and will finish illness of the military superiority. Mentally to itself present all states which surround Russia strong and have to Russia territorial claims! It is necessary to be fair in an estimation!
http://inotv.rt.com/2011-08-26/Za-chto-Zapad-ne-lyubit
February 1st, 2012, 2:59 pm
irritated said:
#131 Tara
I am not in the sandals of the Qataris to tell you what is their ultimate agendas, but their recent intervention in internal Arab affairs by funding islamists in Tunisia and Libya is suspicious.
Why would they offer to host two “terrorists” moslem organization?
Are they planning to “moderate” the extremists? neutralize them? Are they trying to pay back the USA, their ally, for their protection?
Until we understand what their goal is, it is premature to call it “benevolent”
February 1st, 2012, 3:00 pm
irritated said:
#133 Juergen
“But i guess those demonstrations are again provoked by the US and Quatar right?”
Of course, your guessings as your predictions are always excellent.
February 1st, 2012, 3:06 pm
Majed97 said:
I wonder if Qatar and the AL will ask for UN intervention in Egypt to stop the football fans “killing machine”. 73 dead in a matter of one hour…the level of hate in the Middle East is mind boggling…
February 1st, 2012, 3:26 pm
newfolder said:
the FSA takes out a Shabiha sniper in Homs after taking out a regime checkpoint in Bab Drieb, this is how all Shabiha will end up like:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1VL9H22yfI
FSA commandeers a tank and fights back:
February 1st, 2012, 3:27 pm
Syrialover said:
#138 Alan
Disliking America and rejoicing at its problems should not lead to fantasies and cheering about Russia.
We are seeing that a significant number and wide cross section of Russian citizens wouldn’t agree with you. Even Russian millionaires took to the street to protest against Putin!
The flight of $90 billion out of Russia last year is an indication of how nervous Russians are about the growing cracks in the system, stagnation and cronyism.
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/d02333ec-2d7c-11e1-b5bf-00144feabdc0.html#ixzz1lAH5rD1h
February 1st, 2012, 4:05 pm
Uzair8 said:
Robert Fisk: Syria is used to the slings and arrows of friends and enemies
Bashar al-Assad is clinging to power despite the slow growth of a civil war. But if the regime should survive, what sort of country will it rule?
Wednesday 01 February 2012
http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/fisk/robert-fisk-syria-is-used-to-the-slings-and-arrows-of-friends-and-enemies-6297648.html
February 1st, 2012, 4:30 pm
Antoine said:
Russia is being foolish and has fallen nicely into the trap. After the Veto, “certain” countries which pushed the resolution will start direct funding and arming of the FSA from neighbouring countries. Apparently, these countries got wind of the situaton, that should a veto occur, and the Syrian opposition and FSA left to fend for itself, there will be large scale influx of foreign volunteers and fighters from all parts of the World into Syria, which will destablise Turkey and Jordan. So they decided top fill the vacuum themselves.
February 1st, 2012, 4:46 pm
zoo said:
The battle for Zabadani?
In mountains, Syria opens new front against rebels
By LEE KEATH | Associated Press – 1 hr 7 mins ago
http://news.yahoo.com/mountains-syria-opens-front-against-rebels-204151692.html
….
In recent weeks, the rebels appeared in greater numbers in the towns and suburbs surrounding Damascus, which has been tightly controlled by the regime throughout the country’s turmoil.
On Wednesday, regime forces pushed their way up Wadi Barada, a valley in the mountains a few miles (kilometers) northwest of Damascus near the Lebanese border. Battles with rebels appeared heavy. The state news agency reported a brigadier general and two other high-ranking officers in the government forces were killed, and activists said between six and 14 army defectors died.
The valley leads to the mountain resort town of Zabadani, an opposition stronghold that has been under the control of rebel soldiers and protesters for several weeks.
At least 24 civilians were killed as government forces battered Deir Qanoun, Ein al-Fija and other towns in the valley, according to the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Another activist group, the Local Coordination Committees, put the toll at 36.
The figures could not be independently confirmed. Syrian authorities keep tight control on the media and have banned many foreign journalists from entering the country.
At the same time, troops were mopping up in the suburbs on the agricultural plains east of Damascus, where they largely put down rebel forces in three days of heavy fighting.
Regime forces raided homes in several suburbs, arresting activists and dissidents and killing at least two young men. A 3-year-old girl was shot dead in the suburb of Arbeen as troops stormed neighborhoods, the Observatory said.
{..}
February 1st, 2012, 4:54 pm
zoo said:
One major consequence of the uprising: The destruction of the trust among sects
Against Syrian anger, Assad’s sect feels fear
By Mariam Karouny | Reuters – 2 hrs 34 mins ago
http://news.yahoo.com/against-syrian-anger-assads-sect-feels-fear-192252016.html
DAMASCUS (Reuters) – A year ago, Ali was enjoying university in Damascus, looking forward to a career in dentistry and paying little heed to politics in a country controlled by a single family for over 40 years.
That all changed, not so much when other Syrians took to the streets to demand President Bashar al-Assad step down, but when a mysterious message popped up on his Facebook page; it told him to get out of town, or die – because he was the wrong religion.
“You Alawite,” read a text on the social networking site, widely hailed by pro-democracy activists for enabling the Arab Spring uprisings. “We don’t want to see your face in Barzeh.”
{…}
February 1st, 2012, 5:03 pm
zoo said:
Defining Syrian regime change
February 1, 2012 12:53 pm by Roula Khalaf
http://blogs.ft.com/the-world/2012/02/defining-syrian-regime-change/#ixzz1lAd0SWEF
…In a statement that raised eyebrows in western capitals, Nabil Elaraby, secretary general of the Arab League, said the Arab road map should not be interpreted as calling on the president to renounce power and that it was similar to what Mr Assad had told him he would do – put his deputy in charge of political reforms. Arab League members therefore appear divided over what this transition they signed up to means – a confusion that could complicate the negotiations over the UN resolutions.
February 1st, 2012, 5:07 pm
jad said:
HNN| ????? ?????? ???
???? ????? ??? ??????
http://www.facebook.com/HNN.SYRIA
????????? ?????? ??????? :
?????? ??? ????? ????? ?????????? ??? ???????
?? ???? ???????? ??? ????? ???????? ??? ??????? ?????
???? ???? ???, ??????? ?? ????? ???????? ???????? ???????
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???????? ????? ??? ??? ??????? ??????? ???? ??? ?? ????? ??? ???????
???? ????? ????? ??? ?? ??????? ???? ???????? ??????
????? ??? ???? ????? ???? ??? ????? ??????? ? ???????? ? ??????.
??? ???????? ???? ??? ????? ??????? ??? 4 ?????
?????? ??????? ?????? ????? ????? ?? ????? ????? ????????.
???? ????? ????? ?? ??????? ???? ?? ??????? ?????
?? ??? ??? ?? ???? ?? ???? ????? ???????? ???? ???? ?? ???????
??? ???? ??? ??????
?????? ?? ?? ??? ??????? ?????? ??????? ?????????? ??????????
????? ????? ???? ?????? ?? ?? ??????
????? ???? ????? ???????? ???? ????? ????? ???? ?? ??? ?? ?? ??? ???
???? ????? ??? ??????
http://www.facebook.com/HNN.SYRIA
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/405684_340727032626020_200624223302969_1118444_186415926_n.jpg
February 1st, 2012, 5:07 pm
jad said:
Aljazeera; Samir Aita
http://youtu.be/rwtlcOfoQ50
About Alarabi statement, he also asked the oppositions not to overestimate the UNSC resolutions:
?????? ??? ???????? ??????? ?? ?????? ?? “???” ??? ???? ????? ???????
??? ?????? ????? ??????? ??????? ???? ?????? ?? ???? ?????? “??????” ?? ?????? ??? ???? ????? ??? ?????????? ???? ????? ?? ????? ?????? ????? ??????? ?? ?????? ?????? ?????? ??????? ??? ?? ?? ???? ??? “?? ???? ???? ?? ???? ????? ???? ???? ??????? ????? ?? ???? ???? ?? ??????? ????? ??? ??????? ???? ???????? ?????”? ??????? “??????? ??? ????? ??? ????? ?????? ???? ???? ??????”.
????? ?????? ??? ?? ????????? ???? ?????? ?? ?????? ?????? ?????? ?? ????? ??????? ?????? ??????? ?? ???????? ?????? ?? ???? ??????? ???? ???????? ?????? ????? ??? ?? ???? ????? ??? “???? ???? ??? ????? ?????? ??? ??”? ??? ?????? ?????? “??? ???????” ??? ????? ?????? ???? ??? ??????? ???? ?? ???? ?????? ????? ???? ????? ????? ??????? ?? ?????? ??????? ???? ????? ???????? ????? ????? ?? ??????? ??? ?? ???. ???? ????? ?????? ?????? ?? ??????? ???? ????? ??? ?????? ????? ???? “???????? ???????” ?????? ???? ????? ??? ?????? ????? ????? ???????.???? ?????? ?? ????? ?????? ?? ????? ??????? ????? ??? ???????? ??? ??? ??? ??????? ??????? ?? ?? ????? ?? ?????? ??? ?? ???? ??? ??? ???? ??? “????” ?????? ?????? ?? ??????? ????? ???? ???? ??? ??? ????????? ??? ???? ?????? ????? ??????. ???? ?????? ?? “??? ???? ?? ???? ????? ?????? ???????? ?????? ????? ???????”.
???? ?? ?????? “?? ?????? ??? ?? ????? ???? ???? ??????”? ???? ??? ???? ??????? ??????? ?????? 22 ????? ??????.
???? ?????? ?? ??????? ???????? ??????? ?? ?????? ?? “???” ???? “?? ??? ????? ??? ???? ????? ??? ??? ????? ???????”. ???? ?? “?? ????? ????? ????? ??????? ?? ?? ??? ??? ??????? ???????? ??? ?????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ?? ????? ????? ?????? ?? ????? ??????????”.
February 1st, 2012, 5:13 pm
zoo said:
The withdrawal of the FSA from the suburbs, a tactic? Is there a proliferation of others “free armies” competing for leadership?
http://www.haaretz.com/news/middle-east/half-of-syria-no-longer-under-assad-s-control-opposition-says-1.410406
“The Syria Free Army – which has managed to recruit over 25,000 army deserters and citizens so far – has apparently refrained from taking control of more territory out of fear that the regime would respond with more force and yield a significant increasing in the number of casualties.
This is also apparently the reason that the opposition group retreated from the suburbs of the capital Damascus on Sunday, following an attack by regime forces, in which opposition forces were shelled, and fired on by tanks. ”
…
Today, despite an increase in the number of defectors, the highest ranks of the military are still loyal to the regime. Some of those who have defected indicate that there are splits among the ranks whose origin is battles of ego within the ranks themselves, as opposed to a real opposition to the Assad regime.
It seems that some of the senior officers who recently defected intend to set up their own headquarters for the defector army, and it is not clear whether the commander of the “Syria Free Army” will join them or whether he will manage “his army” separately.
{..}
February 1st, 2012, 5:16 pm
jad said:
Zoo,
“Is there a proliferation of others “free armies” competing for leadership?”
Yes, couple I read about recently:
-Alsheikh who is higher in the rank than Al As’ad and who apparently is starting to compete with As’ad according to some news.
-The establishment of another militia called SNA ‘Syrian National Army’, the competition between those militias may start soon, however, SNA militia claimed that its mission is only to defend civilians and will not engage in any offensive act against the Syrian Army.
February 1st, 2012, 5:27 pm
Juergen said:
Alan
I assume you like Putin may be because he is a similar leader of what you are used to, may be even you like just admire such “elected” muhabarat guys. There is a saying that every country gets its leader it deserves, i disagree, Syrians, Russians deserve better than what we see now.
Joshua Landis made an interview:
http://www.npr.org/2012/01/30/146099707/landis-talks-about-syrias-assad-regime
February 1st, 2012, 5:41 pm
SANDRO LOEWE said:
143.UZAIR8
Many many thanks for this link. I enjoyed it so much.
Robert Fisk: Syria is used to the slings and arrows of friends and enemies
Bashar al-Assad is clinging to power despite the slow growth of a civil war. But if the regime should survive, what sort of country will it rule?
Wednesday 01 February 2012
http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/fisk/robert-fisk-syria-is-used-to-the-slings-and-arrows-of-friends-and-enemies-6297648.html
February 1st, 2012, 5:51 pm
zoo said:
No voting on UNSC resolution on Syria in coming days – Russian diplomat
http://rt.com/news/line/2012-02-01/#id25863
No voting on a resolution on Syria is planned at the UN Security Council within the next few days, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov said on Wednesday. He was commenting on reports that voting on the Western-Arab draft resolution had been scheduled for Thursday. “Experts are discussing two drafts, a Russian and a Moroccan one,” he told Interfax. He explained that no text has actually been presented yet as a document for the voting. The essence of the Moroccan draft resolution remains unacceptable to Russia, Gatilov noted. It retains provisions on imposing sanctions on Syria and provisions that “might be construed as allowing for the use of force,” he said.
February 1st, 2012, 6:01 pm
SANDRO LOEWE said:
¨Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent
revolution inevitable.¨
(John F. Kennedy – In a speech at the White House, 1962)
February 1st, 2012, 6:03 pm
Syria no Kandahar said:
John Kennedy didn’t deal with Alaaroori,Aljazera
And Alarabia.
February 1st, 2012, 6:08 pm
SANDRO LOEWE said:
It´s clear Syria, Iran and Russia and trying to save time so they can crush the opposition in Homs. They are getting time and many extra times from US. I believe crimes in Syria are much worse than what Saddam was supposed to own (fake chemical weapons).
But even so, US is probably going to let Assad Mafia remain for years in power.
And the reason is that Israel is interested in keeping Assad Mafia in power. Otherwise the state of regional permanent confrontation would vanish. And we all know Israeli military mafia without war state loses its ¨raison d´etre¨.
So, by the uprising syrian people are fighting Assad Mafia, Israeli Mafia, US Jewsih Lobby, Russia Mafia and Iran Mafia.
February 1st, 2012, 6:14 pm
SANDRO LOEWE said:
156. SYRIA NO KANDAHAR
By 1962 75 % of arabs living today (Assad one of them) were not born and revolutions took place in other parts of the world.
You will be with the mafia regime whatever it does. We have definetly lost you.
February 1st, 2012, 6:23 pm
SANDRO LOEWE said:
Once in Damascus I had a conversation with an alawi resident in the capital. We had a friendly conversation and I directed it towards politics and the status of alawis in the country. After talking too much about power, politics, minorities, etc. he told me the following:
¨We, the alawites consider the President as a divine character. He is more that Prophet Mohammad, we adore Bashar as we adored his father. We will give our souls and do whatever we are requested for him. You cannot understand it. He is the nearer person to God and Divinity.¨
I could´nt believe what I was hearing, specially coming from middle class and formed rank in a state insitution but I took it normally and accepted with respect not to hurt myself.
February 1st, 2012, 6:33 pm
ann said:
UN Security Council members discuss draft resolution on Syria – 2012-02-02
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2012-02/02/c_122643338.htm
UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 1 (Xinhua) — The UN Security Council met behind closed doors on Wednesday afternoon to discuss an Arab- European draft resolution on Syria, a UN diplomat told Xinhua.
“There will be a closed meeting (of the council) on Syria this afternoon,” said the diplomat, speaking under condition of anonymity.
The meeting took place just one day after an open council meeting to hear a briefing from the Arab League, which called for a “rapid and decisive action” from the 15-nation UN body to address the current situation in Syria.
Arab states, Britain, France and Germany jointly drew up the draft to ask Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to surrender power to his deputy so that an election can be held in the Middle East country. Russia, a veto-wielding council member, voiced strong opposition to the draft.
The Russian permanent representative to the United Nations, Vitaly Churkin, said on Wednesday during a New York-Moscow video link that Russia will not let the Security Council to pass a resolution on Syria if the draft was unacceptable, signaling that Moscow will not soften its stance on the Syria issue.
“If the text would aggravate the conflict (in Syria), we consider it wrong and will not let it to be adopted,” Churkin said. “We say this honestly and unequivocally.”
Churkin warned some countries at the Security Council on Wednesday against meddling in the internal affairs of the Middle East country, saying that poorly considered resolution can lead to “a deep regional crisis.”
“There can be a chain reaction,” he said. “This is why Moscow will proceed solely from its own position of principle.”
Moscow insists that the relevant UN resolution should take into account the report the Arab League’s mission to Syria, he said.
Churkin, who called upon the Syrian government and opposition to enter into political talks in Moscow, said earlier this week that he was “deeply appointed” with the draft, but he told the council on Wednesday that consensus was “possible and necessary” on the issue of Syria.
Also on Wednesday, the Syrian permanent representative to the UN, Bashar Jaafari, told the council that the Syrian people will reject any foreign intervention in their internal affairs.
The Syrian people reject violence and will do whatever they can to “defend the Arab causes,” and the sovereignty of Syria, he said.
February 1st, 2012, 6:42 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
In the past Joshua said that the regime may fall once the security forces and the loyal army are no longer capable of confronting the rebels. This is absolutely true. The FSA are now large enough to neutralize the shabbiha and security terrorizing forces, but the army which in most part of it are loyal to the Assad, is stronger but it is getting weaker
More defections, more want to defect, and the morality is getting low, the cost of fighting is high,and we saw the fourth division and republican Guards are used now, the first division is at the front with Israel, the second is at Zabadani area,whose loyalty is not assured, the third division is busy around Hama and Homs and Aleppo, the sixth is in Palmyra, so the only division available is the fourth led by Maher, and the fifth led by Bashar himself.
It is all about the ability of the army to do the job,this is a test for the army,,they will be in severe stress, they are not used for guerilla war,they will suffer many casualties,they will face FSA supported by the people,they will have to endure long time,and they must know that the troops they depend on may defect, and those who defected already and present some where else may be able to hurt the army from its back.
This is dangerous period,require determination.
February 1st, 2012, 6:47 pm
Afram said:
(Deleted for personal attack against another SC commenter. Please refer to Syria Comment Rules)
February 1st, 2012, 6:50 pm
ann said:
162. Afram said:
(deleted)
That was too funny AFRAM 😀
February 1st, 2012, 6:58 pm
jna said:
FSA…Adept at kidnapping Iranian civilians in Syria. Tough guys!
February 1st, 2012, 7:08 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
??? ????? ???? ??????? ????? ????? ????? ????? ?????? ????
read AlQuds Al Arabi
February 1st, 2012, 7:31 pm
Jerusalem said:
To 165. majedkhaldoun said:
Nizar Kabbani is all the Arab poet, does not belong to one person or one country. It’s not her own to decide, who does or do. She’s finding an incident to make herself important. When her uncle was a live she used to compete with him as she is a better writer . She has inferiority complex and she always browned her nose with big names like her uncle, her late husband Mahmud Darwich and her current husband Patrick Seal. She is just loud big mouth very well known in London. And last but not least she is on the Saudi payroll.
February 1st, 2012, 7:44 pm
Equus said:
by Rhonda Hauben
The Arab League Observer Mission succeeded in providing a different perspective from that of the mainstream western media about what has been happening on the ground in Syria.
http://willyloman.wordpress.com/2012/02/01/al-observer-report-corrects-media-narratives-about-syria/
February 1st, 2012, 7:46 pm
Equus said:
We Are The Terrorists
Truth Hurts, Lies Kill. Reality behind the Phony Wars
By Dr. Dahlia Wasfi
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article30066.htm
February 1st, 2012, 7:56 pm
Tara said:
Majed
If this is true about Rana, I salute her and honestly would hope that Asma learn a lesson from her.
February 1st, 2012, 8:07 pm
Tara said:
Bronco# 134
” After 10 months, the SNC has faked in rallying the minorities..”
Bronco, after10 month of the humanitarian disaster inflicted on the vast majority of the Syrian people, specifically the horrid atrocities directed at women and children, it became very clear that most Syrian minorities are impregnated with hatred and phobias that winning them is an UNATTAINABLE goal and quite frankly irrelevant at this stage of the game. Minorities will not accept a non-minority rule in Syria unless they are forced into it. There is nothing, absolutely nothing, that could’ve been done by the revolution to mitigate the hatred and phobias against Sunnis that appears to be widespread in Syria.
I am not going to analyze why minorities carry these emotions which I believe some are inherited and some are acquired perhaps from the Christian Iraqi experience.
Same logic is applied to “true fence sitters” which takes us to the so called silent majority. I do not believe they are majority any more as Syrians are clearly becoming polarized one way or the other, but they are probably a sizable portion. This so called “silent majority” consist of 2 distinct groups, the first is the true fence sitters who are confused and undecided, and the second group are the “silenced majority” who is still afraid to express their support of the revolution in fear of retribution.
Just to be crystal clear, Having said that winning the minorities is unattainable does not mean of course that they should not enjoy the same rights in the new Syria. It is just a reality that we need to understand and acknowledge.
February 1st, 2012, 8:09 pm
Tara said:
Jerusalem
Sorry, but like it or not, Nizar is Syrian and particularly Damascene. I am not trying to be controversial but Nizar could not have been Nizar that we all know had he not been Damascene. There is certain charm to Damascus embodied in Nizar and that is that.
February 1st, 2012, 8:19 pm
jad said:
Part 2 of Alakhbar series about the armed militias at the Syrian-Lebanese borders, as usual the Lebanese and Iraqi governments as well as HA, Almahdi Army and Iran are on their list for after they ‘win’, are you listening USA?:
???? ???? ????? ?????? ??«????? ????» [2/ 3]: 3 ??????? ????? ??? ??????? ?«???????» ???????? ?????
?? ???? ???? ?? ?????? ????????? ???? ???????? ???? ???????? ?????? ???? ?????? ?? ????? ?????? ????. ??????? ???? ??????? ??? ??????? ??? ??????? ????? ?????. ??????? ????????? ??????? ???????? ??????? ??????? ?????? ??? ????? ??????. ??? ???????? ???? ?????? ???? ????????. ???? ???????? ??????? ????? ????? ?????? ?? ?????? ??? ???? ???? ?????? ?????? ??? ????? ??????
{…}
http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/34197
February 1st, 2012, 8:40 pm
Ghufran said:
Bashar supporters released a video of his visit,with Asmaa,to Pierre Lahham.
A longer version is available for curious bloggers. Would not have been better for Syria and Bashar if he had stayed as the son of a previous president?
Even people who were anti Hafez did not,until 2000,target him personally and some even had channels of communications with him when they could not get through the iron circle that surrounded his dad.
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=%D8%A8%D9%8A%D9%8A%D8%B1%20%D9%84%D8%AD%D8%A7%D9%85&source=web&cd=4&ved=0CEIQtwIwAw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DtfamIK8JBy0&ctbm=vid&ei=-ucpT-XoBsnEtwfQh5SRCQ&usg=AFQjCNFR3t2FT13rdIlw6aRRag-NXHMUzg
February 1st, 2012, 8:47 pm
jad said:
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by ????: ????? ?????
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?? ???????? ????? ????? ?????? ??????? ?? ???? ????? ????? ?? ???? ?????? ?????? ??????? ?? ????? ?????? ???????? ??????? ????????? ??? ?????? ???? ??????? ??????? ??? ???? ?? ????? ??? ??????? “???????? ?????” .. ????? ?? ???? ?????? ????? ???????? ??????? ???? ??????? ????????? ?? ????? ??????? ??????? ??? ?? ?? ????? ????? ??? ?? ?? ?????? ?? ????? ???? ???? ?????? ?????? ????? ??? ?? ????? ?? ???? ????? “?????? ??????? ??” ?????? ?? ?????? ????? ????? ?????? ???? ??????? “??????” ?? ?????? .. ?????? ???? ?? ??? ??????? ?????? .. ????? ?????? ?? ???? ????? ?? ???????? “???????” ??? ???????? ????? ????? ????? ?????? ????? ?????? ???????? ??????? .. ???? ???? ?????? ?????? ???? ?? ???? ??? ???? ???? ?? ?????? ??? ?????? ??????? ?????? ????????? ?? ???? ??? ????? ?????? ??????? ????? ???? ???? ??? ???? ?? ?????? ??????? .. ??????? ???? ???? ????? ?? ????? ???? ?????? ??????? ????? ???? ??? ?????? ?? ????? ??? ??????? ?????? ?? ??? ????? ??? ?? ????? ????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ???????? ????? ??? ?????? ???? ?????? ??? ??? ???? ???????? ??????? ?????? ?????? ??????? ??? ???? ????? .. ?????? ????? ?? ???? ?? ???? ????? ???? ??????? ????? ??????? ?? ?????? ??????? ????? ??? ?? ????? ???? ????? ?????? ???? ?? ?????? ???? ???: “????? .. ???? .. ?????? .. ???????”!! ..
?????? ????? ??? ???? ??????? ?? ???? ?? ????? ?????? ??? ???????? ?? ??? ?????? ?????? ??????? .. ??? ??????? ??? ???????? ??????? ??????????? ????? ??? ???? ?? ?????? ???? ??? ???? ??? ??? ?? ???? ???? ????? ??????? ????? ??????? ???????? ???????? .. ?????? ?? ?????? ???? ????? ????? ????? ?? ??? ?????? ???? ?????? ????? ?????? ?????? .. ?? ?? ?? ???? ????? ??? ??? .. ?????? ?? ??? ??????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ??????? ..
????? ?????? ?! ????? ..???? ..???????? .. ???? ????? ?????? ??????? ?????? ??? ????? ??!! ?? ???? ?????? ??????? ????? ???????: ????? ..???? ..???????? ..???? ????? ?????? .. ??????? ?????? ??? ?????..!! ??? ?? ?????? ??????? ?? ????: ????? (???? ?????? ??????? ??????? ???????) ???? (??? ????? ?????? ??????? ???? ????? ???? ???? ??? ?????? ?????? ???????? ????? ??? ???? ?? ?????? ???? ??? ????) ???????? (???? ??? ?????? ????? ?????) ???? (???? ???? ??? ?? ?????? ???????????) ????? ?????? (???? ???? ?????) ..???? ??????? ?????? ????? ?????? ??
?? ???? ?? ???? ?? ?????? ???: ????? ???? ??? ?????? ????? ??? ?????? ?? ?????? ??????? (?????? ??????? ??????? ?? ??? ?????? ???? ??? ???? ????????? ??? ??????) ..???? (???? ??? ????? ????? ?????? ?????? ??????) ..???????? (???? ??? ????? ?? ???????? ?????? ?? ??? ????? ??? ????? ?? ?????? ??????? ?? ???????) .. ???? ??????? ?????? ????? ?????? ?? ?? ????? ????? ..
?? ?? ???? ????? ??? ?? ???? ????? ??????? ????? ????? ???? ?????? .. ?????? ????? ???????? ..?????? ????????? ????????? ?????.. ?????????? ??? ??? ???? ????? ??????? ????????? ??? ?????? ?????? ?????? .. ????? ?????? ??? ?????? ??????? ??????? ??: ????? .. ???? .. ?????? …??????? ..”
http://serjoonn.blogspot.com/2012/02/blog-post_02.html
February 1st, 2012, 8:50 pm
Ghufran said:
??? ?????? ?????
?? ?? ????? ?????? ??????? ?? ???? ?? ??? ??? ?? ???? ????? ???????? ????? ?? ?????? ??? ?????? ?????? ?????????? ??????? ????? ???? ???? ???? ?????? ?? ????? ?????? ?? ???? ????? ?????? ????????? ??? ???? ?? ??? ?? ?????. ???? ????? ?????? ?????? ????? ?? ??? 2014? ?? ??? ?????? ??? ??? ???????? ?? ?????? ????????? ?? ????? ???????? ????? ????? ?? ?????? ??????? ??? ??? ???????
February 1st, 2012, 8:57 pm
bronco said:
#170 Tara
Note that I include in the minorities, the christians, the alawites, the druzes, the kurds, etc..
The SNC was supposed to be representing ALL the Syrian minorities, ethnic and religious.
Most minorities, especially the kurds (sunni by the way), after a few months have declared openly that they don’t trust the SNC.
Why would the minorities be ‘impregnated with hatred and phobia’ if they had been reassured by a competent and respectful opposition? Most political analysts have recognized the opposition’s failure in this regards. The fact is that the opposition failed to unite the Syrians unhappy with the regime, even if you try to find all kind of excuses.
If you insist on victimizing the sunnis, it is also as easy to victimize the alawites and the kurds etc.. I hope you are clever enough to avoid that level of the discussion.
February 1st, 2012, 9:00 pm
Haytham Khoury said:
?????? ?? ???? ????? ???? ?????
February 1st, 2012, 9:00 pm
Haytham Khoury said:
?????? ? ??????
http://haytham-khoury3.blogspot.com/2012/02/blog-post.html
February 1st, 2012, 9:01 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
There was rumors in Damascus that the water they drink is contaminated, the regime accuse the FSA the FSA denied that, and said the regime is contaminating the water if there was contamination.
Lying is contageous, now Russian ambassador to the UN is lying ,saying that the russian house in Madaya has been vandalised, The FSA controlling Zabadani showed the house intact.
Alex
Are you aware that Zo3bi has a poll conducting Arab in USA showing that 83% are wanting Bashar to leave
February 1st, 2012, 9:18 pm
Ghufran said:
Joshua on NPR
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=landis%20npr&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CDMQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.npr.org%2F2012%2F01%2F30%2F146099707%2Flandis-talks-about-syrias-assad-regime&ei=IfMpT4H0OPLy2gWW44WLDw&usg=AFQjCNGRnhvARJagSFem7b8xop205ZDUTQ
February 1st, 2012, 9:27 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/jan/19/syrian-poll-assad-no-credibility
February 1st, 2012, 9:29 pm
Ghufran said:
???? ????? ???? ????????? ???? ???? “??????” ? ?????? ?????? ?? ???? ???? ??????? ?? ????????? ? ??????? ?? ??????? ??? ????? ?????? ?????????? ???????? ????????? ??? ??? ??? ???????? ??? ????????? ????? ???? ???? ???? ?????? ??? ??????? ???? ?????????? ?? ??????? ?? ?????? ??? ?????? ??????? ??? ??? ?????? ????? ???????? ?? ??????.?
??? ?????? ?????? ??????? ???????? ?????????? ???????? ???? ???? ?? ??? ???? ?? ?????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ???????? ??????? ??????? ??????? ?? ???? ????? ?? ???????? ??? ??? ??? ???? ?? ????? “??????”.?
?”??????” ???????
????? ??? ?????????? ??? ???????? ????????? ???????????? ????????? ?????????.?
????? ?????? ????? ??????? ???? ??? ???? ?????? ??????? ??”?????” ????? ?????? ??? ??? ??? ?????? ?????? ?? ????? ?????? ???????????? ?????? ?????? ??? ???? ????????.?
??????? ?????? ???? ???? ?????? ??”????”? ?????? ?????? ??????? ??????? ??????? ?????? ???? ???????.?
????? ?????? ???? ??? ????? “??? ????? ??????? ?? ????” ?????? ?? ??”?????”? ?????? ???????? ?? ?????? “?????” ???? ???????? ????? ???. ?
????? ????? ?? ?????????? ??????? ????? ????? ?? ????? ?????? ?? ??????? ???? ????? ???????? ?????? ?? “??? ??? ?? ?????” ?”???????”? ??????? ?????? ??”?????” ???? ????? ????? ?????? ?????.
????? ??? ??????? ?? ????? ?? ?????? ?????? ?? ??? ????? ?????? ?????? ???? ????? ????? ?? ???? ??? ???? ?????? ?? ????? ?????? ???? ????? ????? ?????.?
???? ??????? ?????? ???? ????? ????????? ???? ?????? ???? ?? 400 ????? ?????? ??? ???? ????? ????? ?????? ????? ????? ????? ??? ???? ??? ?????? ??????? ??? ??? ???? ????????? ??????.?
February 1st, 2012, 9:37 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
http://www.elaph.com/Web/news/2012/2/713593.html?entry=homepagemainmiddle
February 1st, 2012, 9:46 pm
Hans said:
Ehsani!
your work is very appreciated, what is clear from your interview, is that the army and the police was not shooting at the protesters, unless the latter was armed and firing at the Army and the police.
which is a clear contradiction to all the western media reports and to the USA propaganda and to the lies of opposition. Pan Kee moon knows that but he can’t tell the truth because the ones who are paying his salary telling him to LIE as usual and probably few years latter will have halrious comes out saying our information on syria was wrong ( remember Collin Powell) saying we didn’t have mass murders in Syria and the opposition deceived us.
it is clear the we have so many Shalabii in Syria and that Rami abul Akhara and the Zebaleha as Jad calls him are the traitors add them the burhan Pipe ( Ghalioun).
it is clear that the lies of Hirrary and mamma Bama are are well planned to destroy Syria ( JUst to topple Assad) regardless of the cost and all the innocent people who died and will die to achieve the American Zionist agenda, it is also clear from your interview that the repression and oppression led to the blow up on the street, corruption is wide spread in Syria and we all know that the secret police practices is not the best democratic, human or sympathetic ones….
but let’s be honest with the last statement; which secret agency has a human, democratic,treatment of their enemies, start with the CIA who they treat their captures, KGB, Saudi, Egyptians, English, torture is the name of the game for all these agency and even Bashar is not the democratically elected president neither is anyone in the region including the SOB JBH.
or the trashy KSA king or his bastards princes around who are the biggest finances of the Wahabi terrorism all over the world
it is clear that the MB wants to take over the power in Syria at the expense of the Syrians, well the previous headline of this blog and your article indicates tha the end is not a near, and the Tunnel is far away then let it be and I hope everyday that the syrian army kills as much as they can of these terrorists radicals and mercenaries, who hijacked the real peaceful revolution and turned into a tool in the hand of the Devil America and in the hands of the Zionists back doors.
A bientot, Syria…..
February 1st, 2012, 9:50 pm
Norman said:
Ghufran,
They should do what i said and the Syrian government and the president should go on the offensive and get the new constitution out that will council article 3 and 8 , set a time in April for elections to the parliament that will be supervised by the carter center, election for the president in 2014 that president Assad will not run in according to the constitution that set only two terms for the president, put all that before the UN Security councel and ask for their support to stop the armed insurgency and to guarantee the political reform process so legetamacy will be given to the process, then give the Syrian army the go ahead to restore peace and security as there is no reason to continue the violence as the people won their rights that are guaranteed by the UN and the major countries.
Please move on the process and make history, don’t look at history passing you by, and that is for all to understand.
February 1st, 2012, 9:54 pm
jad said:
Haytham,
Regarding your article:
Excellent in the historical analysis part.
Somehow unbiased in the comparison between the West and Russia way of looking at each other yet you totally forgot to mention the Russian sensitivity to the radical movements as the main threat to the ‘Russian Orthodox’ Empire as you put it.
Poor conclusion by not taking anything you wrote before in consideration and judging through an already made political convection without a clear vision or a constructive approach you can give to the reader as of how to solve the Russian concerns regarding the MBs council you represent.
Thanks for sharing.
February 1st, 2012, 10:09 pm
Tara said:
Bronco
We are not seeing eyes to eye then and I am not following the logic again.
My assessment of “hatred and phobia” is an objective assessment and in no uncertain way is meant to hurt someone’s feelings or meant to degenerate the discussion into a sectarians hatred one. I also stand my position that nothing could’ve been done differently by the opposition that can assure the minorities. Ghalioun and the LCC have tried on multiple occasions to reassure the minorities that we are one people to no avail. I don’t think they were deficient in that regard. It is just ban unattainable goal.
I am coming into the discussion without (at least) conscious attempt to victimize the Sunnis or incriminate the minorities. I urge you for the sake of having a reasonable discussion to honestly attempt not to fit me into a sectarian agenda because I have none. Just to give you some background into this, I stepped into the revolution opinion-less. Religion or sect is meaningless to me. Not that I am an atheist. I am not. I just believe that one’s religion is what he or she is born into and that is that. There is no ultimate test to prove which one of them is “the one” if there is one at all.
Having had “limited exposure” on my own to Syrians at large growing up in Syria, then living alone in New York city during long years of “education/training” with no family members around and only “intimately” closed Arab and Syrian Christian friends, I personally was never exposed to the “hatred and phobias” until this revolution started. To the contrary, I stepped into this revolution with nothing but..fond memories of my Christian friends. Then come the incomprehensible killing, torture, and subjugation carried mostly by Alawis on the ground and cheered mostly by Christians, most prompted by fear and some prompted by hatred that led me into the formulation of this assessment.
Minorities in Syria fell into three categories and we have samples of these categories on SC: HK/SL category and it is, I hope, clear how I feel about them, the hateful group without naming names, who are hatred-laden and probably irrecoverable, and Norman-style group with minorities complex disorder who I can at least understand their motive. This last category is not a hate group and I certainly hope they constitute most of the anti-revolution majorities as opposed to the hatred-laden category.
Now Bronco, do you think there is any possibility of winning someone like Afram or even Norman no matter what shape or form the revolution takes?
Btw, Norman: I do not think you are a bad guy at all. And without trying to be silly, I just think that you have a phobia that you can’t possibly overcome. A phobia very similar to my cat phobias. There is nothing, absolutely nothing that can be done to make me overcome my fear.
February 1st, 2012, 10:19 pm
Ghufran said:
????? ????
1-??? ?????? ??? ???? ????? ? ???? ???? ?????, ? ??? ?????? ???? ????? ????? ?? ????? ????? ??????? ?? ????? ????? ?????? ????? ??? ?? ???? ??? ??? ????? ???? ????? ?? ???? ??? ????? ???????.
2-??? ?? ?? ???? ??? ??? ????? ??? ???? ????? ??? ?????? ?? ??? ??? ??? ????? ?????? ?? ???? ?????? ?? ???? ?? ????? ????? ???????.
???? ???? ?????? ??? ??????? ??? ??? ????? ???? (? ??? ?????? ???? ??? ??? ??? ???? ???? ?? ??? ?????? ???? ????? ????? ????) ?? ????? ???????? ???? ????? ??????, ? ??? ?????? ????? ??? ???????? ???????? ? ???? ???????? ????????.
February 1st, 2012, 10:22 pm
jad said:
Ghufran
Seriously! You buy this stuff: Holding a weapon is peaceful?!
In my opinion, today in Syria there is nothing peaceful left in the streets, all of the streets are now run by armed thugs.
BTW, Did you read this news 😉
????? ??? ???? ???? ?????? 3 ????
??? ????? ????? ???? ?????? ???? ???? 3 ???? ???????? ??? ???? ????? ?????? ????? ???????? ?? ?????? ?????? ????????? ?? ??????? ???????.
????? ????? ??????? ??????? ?? ????? ??? ??? ???? ???????? ???? ???? ????? ??? ????? ???? ????? ????? ?????? ???????? ???? ??? ??????.
???? ?? ?????? ??? 24215 ???? 2011 ???? ?????? ???? ???? ????? ????? ??? ????? ??????? ?? ???? ???? ??? ??????? ???? ??? ?????? ?? ????? ???????? ???????? ???????.
??????? ?????? ??????? ?????? ????? ????? ???? ????? ??????? ???? ???? ????? ???? ???????? ?????? ???????? ??? ?? ????? ???? ??????.
February 1st, 2012, 10:30 pm
anton said:
Dear Norman
if you remember my earlier comment at the beginning of the crisis in Syria, I said that who ever planned these events , the objective was to distroy Syria, and the president knew that , what ever he will do they will try to undo until they achieve their goal , their plan so far is suffering a lot of defeats, we have the most civilised , intelligent president Syria ever had , the option, he is playing now is the cat and mouse option hopping the mouse will be tired soon and will give up ..
and the reason why Russia and China is at his side , its only for simple reason, if he fall the next will be themself, they will moved with the help of the same players and tactics into the back yard of those 2 countries.
as I said earlier the Syrianna axe blocking the way
just hope it will be done soon.
February 1st, 2012, 10:31 pm
Ghufran said:
Jad,
Copying what ordinary Syrians are saying is just copying what ordinary Syrians are saying.My personal views on the regime and this crisis are not necessarily expressed in those bits and pieces I copy and paste on SC,I am not also trying to please or anger anybody. The confusion you see here and there from a lot of people does not surprise me and should not surprise you. Without a compromise,we can only expect a long and bloody conflict,but Syrians are not famous for being able o compromise.
February 1st, 2012, 10:47 pm
Norman said:
Anton,
I think that he should give the Russian what they need to say to the world that if reform what the opposition want, then they got it but have to drop their weapons, if they want his head then they have to walk over Russia and China, knowing how greedy they are , they will refuse free elections because they know that they will lose.
February 1st, 2012, 10:48 pm
jad said:
Ghufran
I’m with you about compromise to save our homeland.
I’m just pointing out the distorted version of the term ‘peaceful’ many Syrians are come to and I clearly see the confusion, but when I see that people add more ambiguity to the term when they try to mix it with ‘militarizing’ the society, I can’t but to speak out.
In my opinion wee need to be more clear about what ‘peaceful’ really means for the public to understand. This is the mission of the wise ‘leaders’, yet, it seems that we have very few wise ones and the rest ‘wannabe’ mainstream leaders are so blind and they are leading us all to hell.
February 1st, 2012, 11:00 pm
NK said:
a picture is worth a thousand words
February 1st, 2012, 11:04 pm
Mohamed Kanj said:
@173 GHUFRAN – Stop trying to deceive everyone on this blog that u stand in the middle and are not siding with either pro govt or anti govt. It is a well known fact, from your posts that (Edited for personal attack) Once they get power their fangs will come out. Look over to Egypt and c ur muslim brotherhood causing chaos. NO ROOM FOR IKWAN
February 1st, 2012, 11:10 pm
jad said:
An interesting interview with the controversial Lizzie Phelan, I had a very different view of her, she sound much better in this interview than any article or interview I read of her, you will be surprised:
“Interviewer: Since you have appeared on Press TV and Russia Today, as well as Syria state television, do you have any concern that you might seem to be endorsing the governments that finance those channels..?
Lizzie Phelan: This question in itself is a very deceitful and loaded question, and it is taken out of all context. It implies that BBC, CNN, Al Jazeera etc and the journalists who work for those organisations are independent from their financiers….So the question should start from the premise that no news organisations are neutral, and each represent a certain ideology. So if you ask me if I feel more at peace working for news channels which reflect the ideology of states that are defending themselves from constant attack by the west, that is an ideology that opposes foreign interference in their affairs and promotes their own independence, or would I feel more comfortable working for media organisations that reflect the arrogant ideology that western civilisation is superior and should be imposed across the world by any means necessary, then I think any person with the slightest understanding of global politics and at least recent history would say the former.”
Video:
An Interview with Lizzie Phelan
Lizzie Phelan is a British contributor to Russia Today and Press TV, state television broadcasters funded by the governments of Russia and Iran, respectively.
http://video.nytimes.com/video/2012/02/01/world/middleeast/100000001325723/an-interview-with-lizzie-phelan.html?scp=1&sq=lizzie+phelan&st=cse
Here is the full text of the interview:
http://lizzie-phelan.blogspot.com/2012/01/new-york-times-interview-with-lizzie.html
February 1st, 2012, 11:19 pm
bronco said:
#187 Tara
I have used commonly reported observations on the political failure of the SNC in uniting the Syrians against Bashar and you keep coming back with the supposed visceral hatred ( embedded in their DNA?) that Christians, Alawites, Kurds, Druzes, Turkmens, Shias, etc.. have for the well-intentioned and oppressed Sunnis.
I can’t follow that line of thinking. I just can’t accept that you excuse the SNC for its inability to convince these minorities just because these minorities are hopelessly racists. It is insulting to the Sunnis and to the minorities.
If you want to admire the SNC’s achievements, it is you choice but as far as I am concerned the subject is closed.
February 1st, 2012, 11:21 pm
Tara said:
Bronco
It annoys me when you only read the statements you selectively want to read and ignore the rest. You are stereotyping my thoughts and by doing so rendering yourself incapable of having an understanding of my views.
The subject is closed alright.
February 1st, 2012, 11:44 pm
majedkhaldoun said:
There has to be a balance between the power of the goverment and power of the people, this balance ensure the rule of law that is applied equally among everyone, and no one is above the law, and to avoid dictatorship,Dictators enslave the people, and leads to corruption always, and the dictator and his oligachs are above the law and the common people has no right, so the balance is important,and we discussed this here several time on SC, the balance is guaranteed only when the people have the right to carry weapons,to prevent dictatorship and support the balance.
carrying weapons is for self defence , and for providing such balance.
There is no dictatorship,when the people has the right to carry weapons.
February 1st, 2012, 11:46 pm
Alan said:
152. JUERGEN
It is sad to find , that you personalize a theme of discussion! No with Putin soup I didn’t eat! you have the deformed conclusions! It is a pity that you lose a highlight of the European analyst!
That we see now has a wide circulation. And your homeland isn’t far from a snow sphere!
142. SYRIALOVER :
Do You mean these cracks in the system?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8dwhZZAFwQ
We see as a significant amount and wide cross-section of the European and American citizens went out of doors to oppose the capitalist rotten become impoverished population! Don’t translate the problem in another’s gate! Decayed in today’s capitalism!!! Not capable for capitalism to survive without wars! wars are USA hobby.
February 2nd, 2012, 5:22 am
Syrialover said:
#200
Alan
Hands up everyone who wants to go to live in Russia instead of the west.
(Edited. Do not use personal abuse in your comments, please)
February 2nd, 2012, 6:08 am
syrialover said:
And here we have the other authoritarian regime that feels there’s nothing wrong with the Assad regime. All headed for history’s dustbins together, rejected by humanity and social evolution.
“The final chapter of No Enemies, No Hatred, the selected essays and poems of Chinese Nobel Peace Prize laureate Liu Xiaobo, is possibly the most striking.That is not because “Beijing No 1 Intermediate People’s Court Criminal Judgment No 3901” contains beautiful turns of phrase or offers a glimpse into the coruscating mind of one of China’s greatest dissident thinkers. The significance of this translated court document lies rather in how it reveals the paranoia and brutality of the authoritarian regime that handed Liu an 11-year prison sentence in 2009. (http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/e231e7ae-45f0-11e1-acc9-00144feabdc0.html#ixzz1l3xpkyRE)
Spurred on by the explosive growth of social media, an increasing number of people in China are demanding more of their leaders and protests among workers and ordinary people have been mushrooming across the country. (http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/b681fc00-403e-11e1-9bce-00144feab49a.html#ixzz1l3zu73qH)
February 2nd, 2012, 6:48 am
Alan said:
201. SYRIALOVER
(Edited for personal attack. Please observe the Syria Comment Rules)
February 2nd, 2012, 7:12 am
Juergen said:
Alan
sorry i can not understand you well enough. Talk to an Russian, there are many in Damascus to find out what they say about Putin and his party.
May be you are using an translator device, you can send me the arabic narration if you like, i can manage to translate and may be i can understand your opinion then better
February 2nd, 2012, 7:19 am
Juergen said:
Syrialover
I have not forgotten your request, tonight we shall have the final translation done, my friends are working on it already.
kind regards
February 2nd, 2012, 7:19 am
Syrialover said:
Ah yes, that very interesting article on the Arab League, you are getting translated from German into Arabic. I look forward to having it to send to others.
Thank you very much.
February 2nd, 2012, 7:27 am
Alan said:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NX8DtUu_Rc
http://www.youtube.com/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NX8DtUu_Rcwatch?v=at2RtLrNqs8
February 2nd, 2012, 7:48 am
En Siria lo peor no ha hecho más que comenzar | GUERRA ETERNA said:
[…] habitual de que la economía del país se basa ya en tipos de cambio irreales. Eso además suele aumentar la corrupción, porque los funcionarios y sectores que dependen de la Administración se deciden a hacer caja, […]
February 2nd, 2012, 3:07 pm
Laurence of Arabia said:
Ehsani – very nice piece. As I read it, I couldn’t help but think: “what does this mean to me?”. I agree that this is a long dark tunnel but what should the middle class do? Castigate, demonstrate or simply wait? A friend told me that “the time of the middle class shall come”. I felt as if I am reading about a Tolekanian transition in the Lord of the Ring. Does it make sense to bear witness and not to take part? Are we not ultimately responsible for such a choice from every prospective? Be it moral, national or economical ? JFK said that “those who make peaceful revolutions impossible, will make violent revolutions inevitable.” What does the middle do?
February 5th, 2012, 4:10 am
habib said:
#113 Tara
Loool! Benevolence?
This guy betrayed his own father. All he is doing now is spreading Salafism.
February 6th, 2012, 6:51 pm
Laurence of Arabia said:
Let’s take a poll: JFK once said:”Those who make peaceful revolutions impossible, make violent revolutions inevitable.”. Should an armed struggle be pursued now that we can blame someone else for making this decision?
February 10th, 2012, 1:17 pm
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