![]() It would be more likely that Assad’s authoritarian regime is followed by another one, the main difference being (hopefully) that the new regime might be more willing to effectuate drastic political reforms….įor Top Syrian Defector, a Path Less Traveled In the West, one is often unjustly fearful of a democratic Islamic movement, thinking that Islam and democracy are incompatible, whereas a country such as Indonesia provides a strong example that Islam and democracy go very well together…. It can, rationally speaking, also be argued that in some cases it would have been wiser to do nothing or not intervene rather than do the wrong thing with disastrous consequences…. This, of course, can be considered an important achievement in itself…. ![]() Unfortunately, the so-called Arab Spring cannot yet really be called a success for any country, although some totalitarian regimes have been dismantled. The enthusiasm in the West was often a form of wishful thinking – and it still is – even though the moment where everything appeared so promising is gradually being replaced by expectations that are clearly a lot less favorable and more realistic. It must have been obvious enough to those who know the Middle East that it would proceed very differently and be far less rose-colored than what was popularly believed. I have, from the beginning, been opposed to the phrase “Arab Spring,” especially because it was hailed in its initial stages (and also later on) so over-enthusiastically – almost naively – and positively. Has the bloody ‘Arab Spring’ been a success?īy Nikolaos van Dam in Global Perspectives Senior Syrian military officer reportedly defects to Turkey – Liz Sly – Wash Post “Criticizing the opposition is being used as a pretext by the international community to distract from their own divisions and lack of determination,” she said…. Assad and that criticism of the opposition was being used by the west to distract from its own lack of political will. Kadmani, the Syrian National Council spokeswoman, insisted that the Syrian opposition was united over the goal of overthrowing Mr. They still need to get their act together.”īut Ms. “The main challenge is to get the Syrian opposition to act in concert. “The main elephant in the room is the lingering divisions among the Syrian opposition,” said one senior official. Lavrov, Tuesday called the “Friends of Syria” forum redundant after the weekend talks in Geneva, saying that the participation of more than 100 countries in Paris made it “impossible to have serious dialogue.”… “Here you have more than 100 countries meeting to support the Syrian resistance with further sanctions, with humanitarian funds and with the demand that Bashar al-Assad be brought before the courts,” Mr. Manaf Tlass, a commander in the elite Republican Guard, and a member of the Damascus aristocracy, had defected and fled the country…. PARIS - Opponents of President Bashar al-Assad of Syria met here on Friday with their international sponsors to intensify pressure for his removal, buoyed by word that Brig. General’s Defection Confirmed as Syria Opposition Meetsīy DAN BILEFSKY, ALAN COWELL and NEIL MacFARQUHAR, J– New York Times Manaf Tlass’ declaration As issued by international press and media This is not “The Tipping Point” but it is very significant for morale. What is more the Alawite officers have their backs to the wall. It will be a long and painful process for most to defect. Other generals have no bodyguards, no visas, no money…. His family is all out – his father, brother, wife and children. Manaf got the golden parachute into Paris. The elite Sunnis are looking for the exit door – but it will be hard to replicate this defection. No longer is this uprising merely about angry young men in the countryside. The Tlas defection sends the sign that the regime is done for. His departure sent a shudder through the regime, but this time is different. Bashar preserved the blueprint drawn up by his father. They are the keystone of the Sunni-Alawi alliance that has cemented the regime for 4 decades.Ībdul Halim Khaddam and the Tlass family were the two leading Sunni families in the state from the beginning, when Hafiz al-Assad, the architect of the regime, built the structures that have endured since. Bashar al-Assad, left, and Manaf Tlass in Kuwait City in 1999.Ībsolutely important – The Tlass family has been at the heart of the regime from the beginning.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |