The unique tragedy of Syria
At this moment only one thing about Syria is sure: its fate is being decided by non-Syrians. The re-ordering of the Middle East is continuing apace, subordinating local awakenings to regional and...
View ArticleWhat must now happen in Syria
The latest reports from Aleppo, Syria’s largest city, paint a grim picture of unending instability and targeted violence between government forces and opposition groups. The same is true in all the...
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Syria: What next?
The key question is: When, how, and whether President Basher al-Assad will relinquish office? He is turning 47 on September 11. He has ruled Syria since 2000. He was not elected into office through a...
View ArticleIran-Egypt: Old foes, new competitors
The recent outburst of violence in Gaza diverted the Western media’s attention from Syria. But Iran, the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s closest regional ally, has remained focused on Syria. Iran...
View ArticleSectarianism and Civil Conflict in Tripoli
Tripoli’s street battles are once again the center of international attention. In the last two weeks, sectarian-inspired fighting between the Alawite community of Jebel Mohsen and the Sunni...
View ArticleTurkey can’t afford over-involvement in Syria
EAST LANSING: Since 2002, Turkey’s leaders have basked in the glow of their rising profile in the Middle East and Europe. During the past decade Turkey has transformed into the world’s16th largest...
View ArticleTribes and tribalism in the Syrian revolution
On 18 July 2012, after Defense Minister Dawoud Rajiha was assassinated in a bombing in Damascus, Fehd Jassem al-Freij was appointed by Bashar al-Assad as his successor. It has been overlooked that al...
View ArticleSyria: An unwarranted intervention
The United States, with only France and Turkey left amongst its NATO allies, is poised to “punish” the Bashar al-Assad regime for an alleged chemical attack on 21 August in the Ghouta, a verdant...
View ArticleObama: Syria, spying and sellouts
On Tuesday September 10 ,the eve of the America’s 9/11 anniversary, President Obama will try to convince his public that it is legitimate and moral for him to launch a missile attack on Syria as a...
View ArticleDecoding the UNSC Resolution on Syria
The Resolution passed by the UN Security Council (UNSC) on 28 September 2013 does not apportion blame to the Bashar al-Assad regime or to anyone else – notwithstanding the threat of unilateral military...
View ArticleSave Damascus, now
Rumours are rife in Damascus that the anti-Bashar al-Assad rebel coalition has shifted focus to the city and will enter it by March. This may well happen. The U.S., fed up of diplomacy with the...
View ArticleCan ISIS be defeated?
The global reach of terrorism in the name of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has been on devastating display in three continents in just three weeks – from the downing of a Russian passenger...
View ArticleIndia Joins the West to Call for End of Violence in Syria
In the winter of its Arab Spring, Syria has become the center of a geopolitical showdown. Dogged by a persevering opposition stilted by the West and the Arabs, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has...
View ArticleUN: a return to ‘mandated colonialism’
Even when compared to his emollient competitor for the job Shashi Tharoor who is beloved in Europe and North America in a way that few international diplomats are, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon is...
View ArticleThe unique tragedy of Syria
At this moment only one thing about Syria is sure: its fate is being decided by non-Syrians. The re-ordering of the Middle East is continuing apace, subordinating local awakenings to regional and...
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