Thoughts on the Revolution
The fact that I offer my full moral support to the Syrian revolution doesn't in any way mean that I have changed my position with regards to the lousy elements of Lebanon's politics who were prepared to sell their country to France and the United States. I'm still utterly disappointed with Hezbullah and their leader, who have demonstrated that they are purely sectarian in their motivations regarding Syria (contrast that with their firm support of the now crushed Bahraini revolution). I don't want to return to a Syria which is run by Assad ever again. Either he goes, or I will never visit my homeland, it's that simple. This thought pains me, but I'm slowly reconciling myself with the fact that I might not see Damascus for years. Other times I get very angry; there are brave individuals within Syria who are risking everything whilst the most I can do is write condemnation after condemnation.So what I do is spend my time telling anybody who would care to listen why Assad is a criminal and why the Syrian revolution must succeed for Syria to become a country for all her people and not just for his family and their gangs.
On another note, I am thoroughly disappointed with the quality of some of Syria's opposition 'politicians' - at least the ones that I have seen in London. Many appear to me to be arrogant, rude and very, very stupid. When you talk to them, they seem to really believe that they understand politics or that they are 'statesmen'. In effect these political dinosaurs all have an inflated opinion of themselves. I think that they behave the way that they do simply because they don't respect average Syrians any more than Bashar al Assad. They see good-hearted Syrians who are protesting here as either useful idiots to be manipulated and benefited from, or just plain idiots. I shudder when I think what Syria would be like with these clowns running the show, probably the foreign intelligence services and diplomats will treat Syria like a servant colony. Yet at the same time, part of me hopes that they do. Even if the Syrian opposition does take control of Syria, and I think it likely, then at the very least people like me can point our fingers at those who are corrupt amongst them, and accuse or topple them, without risking our lives or the safety of our families and loved ones. In effect, there is at least hope if the regime goes, but whilst the Assad's rule Syria, there is no hope, no light, and no possibility of any change for the better. There is only darkness.
2 comments:
One question: you write about Hezbollah that they "have demonstrated that they are purely sectarian in their motivations regarding Syria". Do you think their motives to back Assad are sectarian? I rather think that it is self-interest: the Assad regime provides them political and material support, and that is why they support him (and why they are in such a difficult ideological position, preaching against oppression in Lebanon yet supporting it in Syria). Or do you have another analysis beyond that goes beyond mere self-interest?
Jan,
I think you're analysis is spot on and is very likely to be the true motivation. I did, and to a certain extent, still think the same as yourself, but I have a gut feeling that Hezbullah does have a strongly sectarian streak which is lying dormant. I'd like this gut feeling to be wrong, but these are interesting times, and everybody seems to be showing their true colours recently. In the end of the day, I think time will tell.
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