Thoughts on the pro-/anti-government demonstrations in Syria, as well as today's speech by President Bashar al-Assad? I was just in the country earlier this week, and I must say, it was odd seeing all of the pro-government demonstrators in Damascus with decals of the president plastered all over their cars. Here's a picture I took (this car was moving, btw):
well..the poster was blocking the driver's view, so maybe the kid was just helping guide him . Hey balla -- why were you there, and what was your impression of what was actually going on. Probably a lot more insightful then our projections based on whatever new source we frequent...
I was visiting my brother who is doing a 12-month Arabic language program in Damascus through UT Austin. From what he tells me, as well as from what I saw myself, Bashar al-Assad is extremely popular in the capital city (Damascus). From my understanding, Syria 10 years ago was completely different (read: less developed) than it is today, and it's due to Bashar's commitment to opening up the economy. Bashar and his wife both appear to be very well-liked by the Syrian people, but unfortunately most of the repressive policies of the country remain due to the same people who have been in Syrian government since the days of Hafez al-Assad (former Syrian president, Bashar's father). I was in Damascus last week when the initial protests started a few miles to the south in Dar'aa. In Damascus, there was nothing but pro-government flag waving, car honking, and presidential decals to be seen.
A friend of mine moved to Syria, but we keep in touch through facebook. I remember their government denied them access for a week, and I made a joke about Bashir, he got pretty mad. He's also in Damascus, and he says he's great. I'm not familar with him, is he outspoken?
He's very well spoken, and an ophthalmologist by trade. His wife is a British-born Syrian, and a former JP Morgan investment banker.
Now I get it. The secret police disappears anybody who disagrees with the government. He plucks their eyes for the parts, and she loots their bank accounts and assets. Efficient.
<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/21889433" width="400" height="300" frameborder="0"></iframe><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/21889433">Lebanon & Syria Protests - March 2011</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/mcheema">Murtaza Cheema</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>
and he is very good dictator, not to mention he killed more than 200 citizens of his people in a 2 weeks span.
That sounds a lot like Egypt and Libya. They were both booming. What's the point opening up the economy if anything that goes in/out only gets to a circle of people. Prostitution has risen sharply in Syria over the last decade. That's always a big sign that something is wrong. This is not a case of people who just want to pursue this line of work, this is happening out of desperation. Anyone who makes a lot of money without the help of some government entity is monitored. Everyone is monitored on some level. You need not look further than the tiny amount of pictures online and participation in facebook groups to know that these people are fully aware that someone is monitoring them, and monitoring them very closely. But these problems are not necessarily related to economic policies or whatnot. Even if everything was awesome in Syria, people should expect to see steps taken towards more freedoms and more participation in a democratic process. It's just in our unfortunate nature that we require for money to dry up before thinking it's worth protesting. If the government was doing a great job, they would point to it. The moment the government starts leveraging off zionists, israel, mythical external influences, promising serious reforms, firing the ministers, etc you know that it's all hogwash. If these people were willing to make the necessary changes, then the fact that they waited till people asked for it shows that they are not working FOR the people, and that they are in fact working for themselves and making concessions where necessary to keep working for themselves. It means they are literally involved in a tug of war, with them pulling for themselves and the people pulling for the people, and they are trying to reach a compromise on what should happen. In reality, the government should be working to fulfill the people's requirements. They are the administrative entity formed to collect, organize and implement the requests of the people. Like your secretary. The moment the secretary begins trying to reach a "compromise" with the CEO (the people), it's time for that secretary to go.
The reason you see so many pro government is that the people of syria are afraid to rebel against it. Everyone knows that you arent allowed to talk bad about it or fear the worst. Bashar's father was a cruel man who basically murdered and pillaged his own people to keep control. Im not saying bashar is as bad as his father, but his fathers supporters are still in power behind bashar...and until they are gone, it wont be peaceful change in govt.
Things appear to be getting pretty crazy in Syria. My brother (who I was visiting in March in Syria) has since gone through a mandatory evacuation back to the US (everyone in his Arabic language program from UT was flown back in May). Thoughts on the current situation?
I am shocked by how brutal Assad has been. I would not have expected this from someone who was educated in the West. Didn't we read some fluff piece about him and his wife recently? Oh well, the moustache should have given it away .
Is Bashir calling the shots or his brother? Up until recently I had slim hopes of regime change. But now that it's clear the regime has no conscience whatsoever and will spill infinite blood to stay in power, it's ball game (unless Bashir gets assassinated).
A late but still very good step from Turkey: http://www.thenational.ae/news/worldwide/middle-east/erdogan-set-to-cut-all-turkeys-ties-with-syria At the moment the Syrian regime is focused on ensuring that NO ONE has the guts to stand up and claim to lead the opposition. Turkey has laid the red carpet for someone to take control of the opposition.
Good, we should be there looking out for the best for our country and world peace. The dictatorships, monarchys and theocracies over there are a dying breed the sooner those people get to experience freedoms the better off and safer this world will be. Give folks something to live for rather than die for.... DD
