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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsRobert Fisk: From Washington this looks like Syria's 'Benghazi moment'. But not from here
President Bashar al-Assad is not about to go. Not yet. Not, maybe, for quite a long time. Newspapers in the Middle East are filled with stories about whether or not this is Assad's "Benghazi moment" these reports are almost invariably written from Washington or London or Paris but few in the region understand how we Westerners can get it so wrong. The old saw has to be repeated and repeated: Egypt was not Tunisia; Bahrain was not Egypt; Yemen was not Bahrain; Libya was not Yemen. And Syria is very definitely not Libya.
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But look east, and what does Bashar see? Loyal Iran standing with him. Loyal Iraq Iran's new best friend in the Arab world refusing to impose sanctions. And to the west, loyal little Lebanon refusing to impose sanctions. Thus from the border of Afghanistan to the Mediterranean, Assad has a straight line of alliances which should prevent, at least, his economic collapse.
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As long as Syria can trade with Iraq, it can trade with Iran and, of course, it can trade with Lebanon. The Shia of Iran and the Shia majority in Iraq and the Shia leadership (though not majority) in Syria and the Shia (the largest community, but not a majority) in Lebanon will be on Assad's side, however reluctantly. That, I'm afraid, is the way the cookie crumbles. Crazed Gaddafi had real enemies with firepower and Nato. Assad's enemies have Kalashnikovs and no Nato.
http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/fisk/robert-fisk-from-washington-this-looks-like-syrias-benghazi-moment-but-not-from-here-6612093.html
nanabugg
(2,198 posts)klook
(12,152 posts)more than just about anybody else. He is a very perceptive observer of Middle East politics and a brilliant reporter.
pampango
(24,692 posts)The Shia are, point out in the OP, a majority in Iraq and Iran. It is not surprising that they support Assad a fellow Shia in Syria even though Shia are a minority there.
"Egypt was not Tunisia; Bahrain was not Egypt; Yemen was not Bahrain; Libya was not Yemen. And Syria is very definitely not Libya."
Very true. About the only thing they have in common is that people get tired of living under dictators and their security services. I can't say that I blame them.
It's easy to say that Syrians should look at the "big picture" and realize that they should accept living with no civil or political rights because the alternative is worse. If someone said that to me (if I had been born in Syria), I doubt that I would accept my "destiny" to live with no rights.
FarCenter
(19,429 posts)Probably around 120 thousand barrels per day.
riderinthestorm
(23,272 posts)and China wants their oil and is supporting Assad as well....
Robert Fisk's voice is always a welcome addition to any conversation... thanks for posting. K and R for an interesting analysis.