Posts from a Lebanese graduate student staying in Syria

[bloom]

The Feeling In Syria

The Syrian people and government fully support Hezbollah.

In fact, Syrians of every stripe support the campaign against Israel: rich and poor, educated and illiterate, Western educated and Syrian educated, multilingual and monolingual, Christian, Muslim, Druze, Allawi, and Shia. It really is incredible to see unanimous support that was not government created.

In fact, the Syrian people seem unhappy that their government has not joined the fight. They are calling this, "The Final Battle." It's rather apocalyptic.

There are Hezbollah, Syrian, and Palestinian flags flying all over Damascus. In the old city, there are large Israeli flags taped to the narrow walkways forcing all pedestrians to trample on it. The Syrian people want the destruction of Israel and see now as the time to do it....

I hate to say this, but Israel has been surprisingly restrained given the leeway they have been given by the international community. Lebanon does not deserve to be destroyed in this way, but the world sees this as an opportunity to isolate Iran and Syria, and Israel has a case for war. This war is ridiculous because it isn't one. Israel is at war. Hezbollah is doing little damage to Israel. Lebanon is being destroyed.

The irony is that the Lebanese people, by and large, support the Western agenda. There is little positive sentiment for the Iranian or Syrian regimes and for Hamas. This is the diametric opposite of the Syrian people who fully support the destruction of Israel.

The Lebanese were trying to get rid of Hezbollah. They were not given the time it takes in this region to get anything done. Sadly, the West does not have time to wait. Iran refuses to cooperate, and Lebanon suffers.

Wednesday, July 19, 2006
posted by lebanon.profile (student from Beirut - staying in Syria) at 1:43 AM

It's Hard Being a Refugee

I will not sleep again tonight. I'm getting out of Syria, but the paths out are jammed with people, and everything available is available at awkward times....

The Syrians have made our stay wonderful. But of course they should be welcoming. We're reviving their distraught economy. Nothing could be better for Syria and Iran right now. Iranian President Ahmadinejad is in Damascus having meetings with President Assad. Contrary to international opinion, they have come out on top. The war against Hezbollah has destroyed the Middle East's most pro-Western country, while empowering the nations that work against Western interests. Now, President Bush is asking Secretary General Annan to ask Syria for help resolving the crisis. The Syrians are in a power position. Iran's nuclear program goes on. Lebanon crumbles.

It's very awkward for Lebanese to be relying on Syria right now. This is the regime we tried to overthrow last year. This is the regime many Lebanese blame for Hezbollah's arms. This is the regime that is profiting from us.

The world made the wrong move. Taking out Hezbollah will not make Israel safer. It will not weaken Hamas or the Syrian regime. It will not stop the war in Iraq. It will not stop Iran from building nuclear weapons. In fact, the opposite is probably true.

Hezbollah's supporters are more supportive than ever. Hamas' support amongst Palestinians and Arabs will most likely grow. Syria is being placed in a power position. The UN investigation against Syria's involvement in the Hariri assassination is off the table. The Iranians now have ever more impetus to quicken their nuclear research.

My head is still fuzzy. I won't get any sleep tonight.

Very sad. Very sad.

Thursday, July 20, 2006
posted by lebanon.profile (student from Beirut - staying in Syria) at 10:36 AM

Syrians Protest US and Israel

There is a massive anti-US and Israel demonstration going on in Damascus, right now.

They are waving Syrian, Palestian, and Hezbollah flags. They are holding up pictures of Syrian President Bashar al Assad and Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.

Not a Lebanese flag in sight. No mention of Lebanon's legitimate government.

And Syria is being asked to solve the crisis in Lebanon. Thank you, Western nations...

Thursday, July 20, 2006
posted by lebanon.profile (student from Beirut - staying in Syria) at 10:54 AM

http://lebop.blogspot.com/

[I_Make_Mistakes]

1. His nickname isn't Curve Ball is it? I am just saying, weeding

the truth from the tumbleweed is an ardent task and I have no way of knowing the truth (both sides propaganda machines are in overload motion).

I always remember there are 3 sides to the story, his, mine and the truth somewhere in the middle.

I will say, that before I believe another US intel report, I will need 1 trillon documented sources.

[bloom]

3. You never know

who is posting what - but it sounded like it was a fairly accurate account. It's nice to get different POVs.

[liberalpragmatist]

2. kicking this

:kick: