The Syrian stumble – by Zeeshan Shah
The war on terror has changed the landscape of the Middle East. It has brought in a new world order and created divide between the East and the West. In this context, the UN Security Council set a line of control gathering all adversaries, and voted against Syria with the biggest stockpile of sanctions the world had ever seen. They were branded as the “Axis of Evil” – and for the next ten years, cut off globally without any economic, social or financial ties with the diplomatic world at large.
Today, we see Syria as a mountain of power and political will inside the Middle East. We also see Syria under fire – under new set of sanctions. Saudi Arabia has taken a U-turn on seeking friendship ties with the Al–Assad regime, making it one of the biggest diplomatic moves by the Saudis. It has once again decided to hit at Syria, contemplating opportunity and crucifying all possibilities of future peace between the two Muslim countries.
Strangely, the longest serving true monarch and the custodian of the Holy Mosques in the Kingdom is also the biggest ally of the United States and considers Syria a long term enemy, calling for an end to the decade-old dictatorship of Bashaar’s regime. This not because of any important reason, but because of an absurd notion that the Syrian regime supports Iran Hezbollah. The Riyadh may also be interested in changing the Syrian regime to bring in a government that suits to their interests and their ally US’s interests.
It is important to know the nature of war here. Syria was one of the first nations to say no to the Israeli policy of violence and mayhem in the Middle East. It was not Syria, but Israel that went to many wars with its neighbours. The US has always supported Israel, vetoing any move towards putting sanctions on them. Despite the proof that Israel used banned weapons on civilian population and remains an unofficial nuclear state, nothing has been done so far. Sadly, the Arab world also does not seem to be pushing harder on this issue.
The problem, it seems, lies with the mindset. Islam is all about equality. The Syrian head of state supports a unified country with the rule of law in place, free from external intervention but open to dialogue and diversity within time. This is the time for Muslim leaders to support Syria with their reforms implementation. This should not be taken as an opportunity to carve out a strategic plan to invade the country. That the Syrians will support anti-Muslim policies is a misconception. That capsizing Assad’s regime will tilt the balance against Iran and Hezbollah seems another fantasy.
Hezbollah was formed to protect the people against Israel’s aggression. It is not a terrorist organisation. They are fighting for their country from evil ambitions of outsiders. Ironically, Lebanon is one of the most successful economies in the world despite all the recession around the globe. That certainly speaks well for the government of unity within the country and Hezbollah is a part of that unity government. This alone should put all other claims to shame. Creating terror was not the forte of Syria, Iran, Hezbollah or the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, but resisting terror and responding to it has been their aim and mission.
People conveniently turn a blind eye to Israel – a country that has created terror in the region and continues to do so. If the Americans are openly backing Israel, arming them to the core, why can’t Syria side with Hezbollah to help better protect and serve its people against anti-Muslim ambitions? Saudi Arabia has been accusing Iran and Syria for decades without realising that they are siding with the US policy on Israel – something that is sacrilege in the Muslim world.
Bashaar al Assad, the President of Syria, has promised reforms, including free media and a transition to a democratic, free and pluralistic society through a national dialogue to review constitutional amendments, election law and a strong judiciary but has also made it very clear to the world that he will not step down but will fight the infiltration across the borders by external elements. If Saudi Arabia continues to show blatant display of support to the American policy of so-called democratic freedom by ignoring Israel, they have no right to interfere in Syrian’s or Iranian’s internal affairs.
It is no time to settle scores but to be united, whether it is Syria, Saudia, Iran, Egypt, Bahrain or Pakistan. Putting sanctions on Syria won’t work in the long run. This will make them more powerful, isolated and out of radar, leading to a difficult diplomatic solution for both the Americans and their Arab allies.
Syria is a unique country of over 21 million people with over 75 percent Sunni majority and significant minorities of Christians and Shias, and is largely known as a country of secular identities and a diverse community of people having lived through years of sanctions. The man behind this ideology is the man being asked to step down. Syria is never going to support Israel and will continue to denounce American policy towards Israel, or at least that’s what appears to be the case.
The writer is a freelancer on finance and international relations and a broadcaster for an FM radio.
Source :
http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2011/10/24/comment/columns/the-syrian-stumble/