Editor's Note: The following interview is reprinted with permission of the Council on Foreign Relations.
Interview by Bernard Gwertzman, CFR.org
Syrian leaders have avoided the inflammatory rhetoric that inspired international condemnation of Libya, NATO's involvement, and the eventual collapse of Moammar Gadhafi's government. But the UN's Edward Luck, a special adviser for carrying out the "Responsibility to Protect" doctrine, believes that pressure is nevertheless mounting on Syria. "Many countries in the region are hardening their attitude and putting more pressure on the Syrian government to act," says Luck. "And we hope that will convince them to change course."
How important was the UN Security Council action allowing use of force to protect civilians in Libya, which tipped the military scales against Gadhafi?
I think it was quite an important precedent, both in Resolution 1970, which talked about sanctions and referred Gadhafi and some of his people to the International Criminal Court, and then in Resolution 1973, which talked about all necessary measures to protect populations–both of those invoked the responsibility to protect. That resolution led to the NATO air umbrella over Libya and the direct military action on the government forces.
It was important that the members of the council didn't find that to be controversial. In other words, the principle was agreed upon. There were some differences on how to go about it, but it was clear that a government that seems to be virtually at war with its people, that attacks peaceful protesters with aircraft, with advanced weaponry, with military force, with mercenaries; clearly this is not part of normal governance. That, simply, is not acceptable. The Russians and Chinese had some reservations. But the fact that they did not veto shows that they have some political pressure that comes up from the sense that publics around the world expect the Security Council to act in these kinds of situations.
Did it help that Gadhafi himself made incendiary comments about "killing these rats" or "cockroaches" when talking about the opposition that had seized power in Benghazi?
Commitments were made by the heads of state (PDF) at the World Summit in 2005, who said that they would not only try to prevent crimes against humanity but would also seek to prevent their incitement. That summit included important wording on "Responsibility to Protect" which has since become known as "R2P."
So, when Gadhafi decided to characterize the protestors as "cockroaches" - the same term that had been used vis-à-vis the Tutsis in the Rwandan genocide [1994] - that was a very worrisome sign. It worried us in the Secretariat; it worried the member states. There was some worry that Gadhafi might be out of control; that he might go very far. His early attacks on the protestors showed that he didn't seem to understand the limits of international law and human rights. In many ways, his own behavior encouraged the international community to take strong action.
Press reports from Tripoli say that even though the Gadhafi government has seemingly fallen, the new transitional government is not really in charge (NYT), and there are various tribal groupings that are claiming parts of the country. Are you concerned that this may turn out to be an even larger civil war?
From a responsibility to protect perspective, we would think that any governing authority in Tripoli would have to protect the population. To protect the population requires some degree of control and authority throughout the country. Obviously, in a chaotic situation, it's very hard to protect populations. So, we would remind the newest authorities, just as we reminded the Gadhafi government, of these responsibilities. I should say that it isn't the goal of the responsibility to protect to change regimes. The goal is to protect populations. It may be in some cases that the only way to protect populations is to change the regime, but that certainly is not the goal of the R2P per se.
In Syria, the government has not used that kind of incendiary language. The government of President Bashar al-Assad claims they're fighting terrorists or foreign enemies. Does that make it harder for the UN to do what it was able to do in Libya?
Certainly, the fact that the government in Damascus has been more careful with its rhetoric means that the case there was not as obvious. But we at the United Nations were very concerned since the beginning, and Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has been very consistent on this - that the kind of violence used against peaceful protectors was simply unacceptable. Over time, it seems that there is reason to believe that crimes against humanity may well have been committed there. When the Syrian government refused to allow the UN investigators on its territory, which had been mandated by the Human Rights Council; when it tried to cut off all media [and] Internet connections, these were clear, worrying signs because one begins to ask what they are trying to hide.
If they feel what they're doing is perfectly justified, they should allow the international community to get a better sense on the ground of what is happening. The United Nations has wanted for a long time to send in humanitarian teams to help the population who were suffering because of the violence. Again, the government was very reluctant, and only recently allowed in a small team (NYT), whose movement and independence were, in some way, compromised by government control. It was a start, but it was not the kind of transparent situation to properly see whether people are being protected from human rights abuses and atrocities.
Going back to Libya for a moment, why do you think that the Russians and Chinese did not use a veto, which they have threatened to do in the case of Syria?
I think there are two important factors. One, as I mentioned, is that the responsibility to protect really does have a large public following around the world. These are standards that people expect governments to follow, and they expect the international community, in particular the United Nations, to respond in these kinds of situations. But the other important difference was a question of regional pressure. There was a lot of regional pressure to act in the case of Libya, and I know that even countries that are rather cautious about the responsibility to protect felt that in that particular case they couldn't go against the Arab League [or] against the African Union and try to block this kind of action.
And the Arab League has not done the same in Syria?
Recently, the Arab League made some statements (Telegraph) about Syria, condemning the violence against peaceful protestors, but it took awhile before they came to that position. The Human Rights Council has recently come out with a resolution on Syria; the Security Council in early August added a sharply worded presidential statement and is now debating various possible resolutions. So, the international community is moving on Syria, but it's moving somewhat more slowly than it did on Libya. But in both cases, the Secretary-General from the very beginning has been very consistent and very vocal, because he is really recognizing the need for the Secretariat side to be consistent and to avoid any selectivity in terms of how this principle of R2P" is applied.
In Libya, the turning point came when the Security Council called for use of force to protect civilians, which led to NATO's aerial intervention, which was a major factor in bringing down Gadhafi.
The first resolution from the Security Council called for sanctions and for referral to the International Criminal Court. People hoped those measures would work, but Gadhafi kept moving. It looked like there was about to be a bloodbath in Benghazi. I can imagine what people would be saying about the responsibility to protect, if there was no reaction to that and we ended up with a bloodbath.
How do you think the situation will resolve itself in Syria?
It's hard to know. One obviously wants a peaceful outcome. One wants the government to come to its senses vis-à-vis its international obligation for human rights and atrocity prevention. It's been very slow to do so. I think one hopes that there are internal political processes within Syria that will lead to a changing attitude, and we noticed that many countries in the region are hardening their attitude and putting more pressure on the Syrian government to act. Syria doesn't have as many friends as it did in the beginning. And we hope that will convince them to change course.
I wouldn't be recommending a military action, but our position is to pursue the principle, not to try to micromanage how the Security Council would decide to use the various tools at its disposal.
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No, I don't think so. What's happened in Lbya has taught Assad a lesson. He avoids incendiary rhetoric and speaks of reforms and justifies the crackdown of the uprisings. The protesters haven't asked for help from outside. The Western forces, Syria's neighbours, China and Russia are wary of an escalation of the conflict in the region. Instead of a military intervention, a psychological warfare is being conducted.
All Middle East problems MADE IN USA ….We have lost our vision and value. We become too greedy and arrogant. Now, a Leader we don’t like we send our planes to take him down. The whole Middle East on fire because of us and not as we preach because of Democracy.. (Democracy)This evil word.. People in USA and all over the world suffer because of our financial crises, Money we spent on Iraq and Afghanistan, killing over 600,000 Peoples, dividing Iraq to 3 parts and no end to Afghanistan war ( a lost one).. The plan is to have a small world 3 to get us out of our Debt… No matter how many people dies and what kind of suffering we bring to people ..What is matter is our killing machine profiting … Be sure we not bring Democracy to Syria or Libya … we bring death…..ONLY
If it rains, blame it on the Yanks, if it doesn`t rain, blame it on the Yanks. Easy to complain without knowing what you are talking about. I am sure we all await your next rant impatiently.
I think you are in a dream world.. Read the news and you will find out the Libyan Revolution Committee give the French 35% of the Libyan oil to overthrown Kaddafi ( is this a revolution or democracy), Today I heard on new the Italian government will get all the oil contracts in Libya.. The war is not over in Libya, Already they cutting the cake and later will fight over it.. What a freedom… be sure our force will not have one soldier in Syria, No oil… no money.... Any way The Syrian regime is clever and will not make the mistake of Husni Mubara and no opposition; only the Muslim Brotherhood, what you hear on news about Syria is fabricated and has no truth.. all demonstration last less than 10 minutes and the biggest one less than a 1000… our policy is criminal one!!!
I odn`t know you, but, you sound like a Syrian and fervent adherent of the current regime. Enough said.
Who do you think to give lesson.. You become gangster… Nato’s countries full of problems.. Look what happen to England.. France and Italy ill follow.. Where USA and Europe did spent the money!!Please keep your democracy to yourself. What you have brought us is death and stealing our wealth
Hopefully not, but I guess that's just wishful thinking on my part. The very last thing the world needs is to have the U.S. and NATO get their grimy hands on yet another Middle Eastern country. The spectre of that happening scares me!
I think the Syrian regime will collapse Khalasat only when the fly starts on Syria to Naljeic Alsourisanhq all within hours because 90% of the alsuna will end with fear of flying
I doubt it, how much oil does Syria have to bribe the western world with? France has asked for 35% of the oil from Libya "go!! democracy" right there. Its sounds more like despots on an global scale.
Must of the syrian people with Mr assad more than 80 per cent with assad so god will protect our syria and our president cos he is the right one to protect syria from all what usa planing to do .we don't want our syria to be like iraq and we all saw what happen in iraq .god bless syria
Sam it is obvious that you that you are backing up the killer Bashar Alasad, however the killer is ready to eliminate all Syria to stay on his bloody chair. How do you feel if these secret police kill your son or father...... This is what all real and honest Syrians feel
SAM,
lol
"I was sure that 98% of Syrians are behind Assad; so it looks he loses 3% every month;if so,on the other hand , Assad is preparing to kill or arrest four millions".
By the way, your story with 80% could make waves in Russia and China ,here on CNN,it offends the intelligence.
I've come to think that you are right, Sam. Every war we enter is based on lies: Vietnam, Iraq, Yugoslavia, and now Libya. NATO told us that it was bombing to "Protect Civilians", but the real mission, from the start, was regime change. If NATO, the U.S. and the U.N. wanted to protect civilians in Syria, they would be calling for mediation or negotiations or dialogue or a truce.
Instead, the Big Humanitarians in the Ziosphere are calling for overthrow, knowing that the likely result would be a bloodbath similar to what we saw in Lebanon in 1975-1990. Ironically, the only one calling for dialogue is the "Butcher Assad" - as our media now call him. It's all just war propaganda, and I'm sick of it.
I can easily believe that 80% of Syria does NOT want Syria to become another Iraq or another Somalia. But notice that these millions have no voice in our media. Instead, the world is depicted as a comic-book, Good Guys killing Bad Guys, Us Against Them, where everyone who opposes Revolution is now seen as a Bad Guy who Deserves To Die. Another irony: Al Qaeda and the U.S. are once again on the same side. Both hate Assad. Both support the overthrow of secular regimes.
The rebels started out by demanding reforms. But as soon as Assad started offering reforms, the rebels switched to demanding blood. They seem very eager to die for "Freedom!", very eager to become martyrs, but they do not want to live for freedom. They do not seem to understand that freedom is a process, not something that comes out of the barrel of a gun. It develops over time. The rebels would take us back to square one. What freedom Syrians have would then be drowned in blood.
How many years was Assad in office. He promised reform when he took over and never implemented anything. He finally offered citizenship to the Kurds in Syria and they have stopped protesting. You need to read a little bit more.
How much did you get paid by the syrian regime to sit on your computer and type all these stuff. Shame on you to side a killer. Oh i forgot brother of a killer is a killer like you.
Who's paying YOU, Nadia? Is it the U.S.? Is it Al Qaeda? Are you part of Israel's Hasbara Brotherhood, Israel's Internet Disinformation Army?
Or could it be that you are an ordinary citizen, like me? You are outraged, because you see Syria using deadly force to put down rebellion. You are sure that the rebellion will bring "Freedom!" and "Democracy!".
I was outraged too, once, long ago. I saw Reagan, our president, supporting a death-squad regime in El Salvador, contra terrorists in Nicaragua, and Mujahedin terrorists in Afghanistan. 60,000 dead in El Salvador. 30,000 dead in Nicaragua. Hundreds of thousands dead in Afghanistan. A few years later, I learned the history of Israel - 63 years of killing.
I do not want Syria to fall into this system of war-making, this system of killing. That's why I oppose your rebellion. That's why I look for PEACEFUL ways to develop freedom. That's why I call for mediation and negotiation and dialogue.
What will fill the void, if Assad falls? Biigger killers. Many Iraqis now look back fondly on the reign of Saddam. Syrians will come to see the reign of Assad in the same way - as a time of peace, stability, security and relative prosperity.
To Nadia,
NonZionest said "What will fill the void, if Assad falls? Biigger killers." So he admits that bashar assad is a killer, but not as big as the killers he assumes will come after him.
Sam, USA is no 1 killer...not Assad or Kaddafi.. See what happen in Iraq.. Find out who is number 1 in selling Arms in the World..Who add up 6 trillion to stage a war in Iraq and Afghanistan...Please fix your house first before asking other how to fix their houses your bloody way? Since Vietnam War, our hand is full of blood and crimes against other nations
What is your real name `Darin`?
Sam, did you take your meddies this morning?
What is your real name punisher!! Is it Mr. IQ or !!!! know facts on ground and then try to be smart....I am not Syrian...and not pro Assad...I am telling you American Policy is falling also it's financial status...figure it out
Sam , if 80% of the Syrian peoples are with Assad, why he did not ask for a fair Parliament and presidential elections under the UN observation?
If he win, then the protesters had to shut up.
Nobody wants to be like Iraq, but that doesn't mean " me or else"
Thanks Mike for being honest. Syria lost more than 70,000 people in 40 years between the father and the son. just for saying NO.
70 000 islamists over 23 million pop. today? that's nothing! Just wait until Israel will invade the middle east... one tiny little nuclear explosion in baghdad as a self-defence precaution and then we'll be talking serous numbers! God bless Israel from sea to river!
September 11 is coming up, and I do not care. But be clear the assessments on Israel as have been made public, are not solely responsible for the blow back. Certainly allowing people to be gassed as a foreign policy has something to do with it. al-Qaida was spawned prior to the Russian invasion of Afghanistan, the seeds, but clearly foreign policy during Clinton and Bush did not cause 9/11. Unlike with Mumbai there will be no intelligence.
It is the human kind responsibility to protect Syrians from this dictator. Official numbers the Syrian regime the father and the son Hafez and Bashar have killed more than 70,000 people at least, and there are more than 30,000 disappeared.
Everyday, many children get killed and the whole world is silent, poor Syria they do not have enough to pay the bill. The auditor with my respect has no idea about whats going on in Syria and the same with rest of the world. Sam it is obvious that you support this regime, but you just wait until the killing machine of Asad reach everyone in Syria.
Mike.kevin well we ll have election in syria soon as we can and we sure assad will win it and I ll tell u something if my son or my father killed from the army in syria better than to killed from this strick muslem which they killing people only coz they don't accept other relagion so did u think we getting the freedom from this people and about 80% with assad he is not losing 3% every month he is wining more than 5 % every month coz befor what happen in syria well 5 month ago I think he had only 50 % with him and after 5 months he won the 30 % coz he is the only one who can safe syria and syrian people .syrian people live safe for more than 40 years and now this people who not with assad became with him coz they want them safty first. And about 70000 person killed since 1970 until now I can tell u more than 1000000 iraqi killed in the last 10 years this from the freedom what usa bring for them more than 25000 person killed in libya in the last month from the nato atack and they where children and women and old people and who get killed in syria In the last 40 years were only strick muslem torrist. Well we still have some of them in syria and I m sure we ll clean our syria from them and we will live safe again and we don't want freedom without security we don't want freedom coming on the usa tank and air force.god bless syria
Sounds to me Sam you only want oppression and brutality. Those opposing Assad feel freedom is worth dying for. Just like in Libya the people are tired of 40 years of the assad family treating people like they were his own personal property. The countries resources belong to the people as well as the country. The people should controll the government not the government controlling the people with oppression. Killing your own people who just disagree with you(Assad) will end up just like Gaddafi in Libya. There is plenty of rope for the Hanging of Gaddafi and Assad. Maybe a double Hanging. Sam maybe you want to be oppressed but don't speak for others who seek freedom and a better way of life.
Hello Freedemocratic. You seem like you have good reason to hate Assad. But this is not about Assad: This is about what is best for Syria. Right now, Syria is independent of the U.S. and Israel. Is it good for Syria to lose that independence? Is it good for Syria to be plunged into sectarian strife or a civil war? Do we really want Damascus to look like Beirut in 1980?
You write that the rebels "feel freedom is worth dying for". Are you sure? Do you know just who these rebels are? Why does Al Qaeda support them? Are they willing to live for freedom and work for freedom, by building on the reforms Assad is making? Or are they simply seeking martyrdom and an Islamic State?
What freedom do the rebels offer for Syria's Christian and Shiite minorities? In recent months, they've been calling mainly for blood. I agree that Syria needs freedom. But revolution is the least likely way to achieve it. You need to take a critical look at this new cult of revolution. As a result of the French Revolution of 1789, rights for women were set so far back that it took women till 1940 to gain the right to vote.
Syria is doing what any country would do. Every regime on the planet would use deadly force to suppress revolution. No country anywhere on the planet allows people to overthrow the government.
Sam. Didn't you clean them all in 1982 , you had killed at least 20000 in Hama only.
Then those terrorists came from nowhere, foreign hands , demonstrating in every town ( except Damascus and Aleppo because there are two much security people).
Ifit is true that this a conspiracy , then every body from Bashar down should resign.
We have 10 or more security services you name them ( amn dolla, askaria, syasia, jawya , palastine ., etc) and no one know about this conspiracy.
What the hell they have been doing, only spying on each other and on the poor syrian citizen we he opens his mouth.
Or they were busy filling their pockets with the loot?
Sam, stop saying idiotic things and take your meddies
I hope not cause the GOP would run out of impeachments for Obama.
Just hope we don't have sectarian violence up to our necks out there for the next 3 decades or so.
Most of the Syrians doesnt want Esad gov.and killing of civilians very bad.thats what i understand.and looks likely following Libya..
Those protesters are terrorists.... the same terrorists that faught in afganistan and Irak and killed our soldiers over there!
They are supported by Saudi arabia and they're sucking the world into hell!
Syrians are free to look for the country's interests. Women have better rights than any arab country... they can work and drive and they're not obliged to wear the burka...
Those Terrorists want ALL the women to cover up and become slaves to the new "dictatorship" called "Islamic State of Syria". Syrians know this and support their president because they have no other choice! Let the elections take place, Let them establish their parties, and give the Government time to implement these drastic changes.
Instead of sanctioining the government (especialy right after every decree by the president trying to take the necessary steps towards democracy) why not assist them by providing ideas and promote democracy. Since when is the west concerned about the well being of the arabs?
These events provide clear proof of manipulations, distortions and hypocrisy to "Dictate" the outcome. The only way for the unarmed protestors to get their demands is through the new implementations and elections.
The case of syria is nothing like the one in Libya.
The War industry tries to sell us Death and Destruction. But nobody wants to buy their product. So they repackage it as "Freedom and Democracy". Now, everybody wants it!
Many people want to die for freedom and become martyrs, but few are brave enough to live for it and work for it, day by day.
To NonZionist,
That applies in civil democratic countries. Not in Syria. Syria has been ruled under one party for 40 years. Syria has been transformed to a private farm to assad's family who is braging that syria will distroy israel with the support of iran.
Syria is sending terrorist groups to iraq. Because if iraq is stabilized, the syrian regime will fall. Syria has problems with all of its neighbors and alledges that the entire world is conspiring against it. Syrians deserve to be freed from such regime.
Hey guys, I'm in LA, (Home Depot Center) the whole middle east crisis is a disaster.
Hope you can see us playing against Costa Rica today! I will be playing as a forward. Guys, I will not be playing against Belgium this Tues because I will be playing for the LA Galaxy.
you can go to my website at http://www.landondonavan.com
Hey Landon,
A discussion of critical world matters is not the place to conduct your shameless self promotion. Are you really that desperate for attention, that you turn any topic into a promo for yourself? Pathetic!
Using the "Responsibility to Protect" shouldn't the UN go after China for destroying the Tibetan and Uyghur peoples?
Shouldn't the U.N. go after the U.N. for imposing sanctions on Iraq?
The sanctions killed a million Iraqis, many of them children, while the world watched, knowingly.
No..........the Syrian army is too well equipped and much more superior.
To ed sr,
syrian army is full of cowards. It is well equipped to kill civilians. What a shame!
In light of increasing Syrian army split by many syrian officers, there is serious risk that Syrian weapons of mass destruction could reach hands of terroristic organizations and used against Europe and USA.
The international community should try to support widespread military Turkish intervention in Syria to prevent this horrible possibility with its catastrophic consequences.
@Soltan, as an ex Syrian military officer, please be advised that there are NO SPLITS in Syrian army! AWOL is NOT SPLIT.
I can assure you that what you see on media is nothing but few deserted soldiers and useless officers. I and most of Syrians knows very well that the terrorists are hiding behind the "NAME" (SPLIT ARMY), in order to protect their doings and not to affect the the "NAME" (peaceful rallies). And that does not mean im denying any peaceful protesters! and please add one more hint to your information: the peaceful protesters are the ones who are telling the security and army about the terrorists hiding places.
Now, relax! No weapons at risk, No foreign military will set afoot in Syria, the regime is staying! and maybe for very long.
THIS IS A BIG CLUB, BUT YOU AND I ARE NOT IN IT.
Mohamed, you are claiming that you are an ex military officer and I am too.
Are you saying that a draftee solider from Hama, Homs or Idlib will go and fire willingly on the his people, do not be so naive .
Those guys are being killed by the security apparatus because they refusing to fire on their people.
Just give them a place to hide and not being killed and you will see how many of them will split and defect.
Mike, No i did not mean that! please read again. (you wont understand unless you are syrian, living in syria).
Moreover, there is no such a (refusing to fire on their people) Because simply, the normal army is not involved in these events AT ALL AT ALL AT ALL.
Days are near and you will figurer your self that the army is very united and very well directed and observed.
And since you are an ex military officer! can you tell me if army REALLY interfered what results we will see?
You should know how things work being in a battle dont you? and you know that army DO NOT CHOOSE FEW INDIVIDUALS!!! IT IS MASS DESTRUCTIVE remember?.
I am not a pro regime Mike, am only objective! I know that the security is killing people BUT not all the time people being killed are innocent! at the same time! when terrorists kill a security or any other draftee, soldier; they (the opposite) say what exactly you are claiming about "people killing refusal". Moreover, no matter what you think or other say or claim! dont you ever think that the regime is dump! its own eyes and ears are already among the crowds in the streets chanting for freedom! like the rest, and between all the opposites. this is my first time i put my nose in such things, i and this not my point of view nor thoughts! it is the truth that am very aware of. I am not a pro regime! but very close and big time insider, and i am not a naive! actually I DO NOT CARE about whats happening or what might happen. what i own in Syria is much less than anywhere else. This is a religion war that i have no place in. I AM SIMPLY FREE! with millions of brothers all over the planet.
Mohamed, I am also not all the way with the protesters but the truth has to be said.
Am Muslim but not radical.
The Regime could not continue like this for ever.
The Baath Party came to power to help the poor and the poor now protesting while the rich in Damascus and Aleppo are just watching.
Unfortunately it is sad to say it, the Syrian people had wasted their money on the army as its duty had changed from protecting the borders to protecting the regime. Actually , it had killed more Syrian, Lebanese and Palastinians than the enemy.
Lets go back to the relatively democratic system of 1961 or prior to 1958 and leave the decision to the ballot boxes and not the bullet boxes.
Dear Mike,
For many reasons, I cannot think of what is happening without switching my emotions off.
There are only two things that matters to me now.
1- I am in total favour of this so-called revolution, because it was a great motive for the government to start serious reforming and future planning.
And yes, I believe that there’ll be serious “logic” reforms and great future planning.
2- I am in favour of the government (not at the beginning of the events!), they are really working hard to keep the country away from any civil war (that others are praying for) with minimum losses! At the same time, they are working very hard to get on with the reforms needed to take the country to a better place with minimum time.
Again, I am not naive! I just have my own sources… actually I pay for quality original reports!.
the only thing needed at the minute is calming the streets that is taking orders from radicals, and facebookers.
Man, this country is not only important for its name or place! this country is a powerful one with great people, it only lacks practical dudes! that been having a long nap.
If you are Syrian! please use your abilities to calm people down... The president wont stay forever...
BUT ! will not move an inch this way.
You sound like George Bush... dear... nothing will happen.. Syria will get out of this..Try to make sense and get back to reality
Why is NATO involved with countries that are not even members? No NATO country has been attacked.
Assad deserves to be jailed for life, however, your question is very interesting. Maybe any NATO member can jump to answer the question.
America needs to take all the treasures that a country has when America frees it. That is how you fund democracy.
Not if Iran has anything to say or do about it. Iran protects and is allied with Syria. If Syria goes expect an uprising in Iran. People were already angry enough after what happened with the elections. Iran won't accept another uprising. And NATO and the US would be smart to not try with Syria. Pretty much all of the Middle East wanted Qaddafi out, he was not allied with any really so he was a soft target.
Is there such a thing as a stable dictatorship without violence? Unless Assad is willing to kill his own citizens wholesale at ever increasing rates I don't see him remaining in power. Eventually that government will fall.
You know when I hear the imbeciles that says a dictator has 80% of the people behind him. The the imbeciles would understand that they do not need to be dictators and have elections. They are too stupid to even realize that. The fact is that these dictators would lose every election by a landslide and that is why they do not have elections and remain dictators. I still think it is not our business to get involved in other country's problems. We stupidley got involved in iraq the dumbest war in our nations history, dumber than the VietNam and the war of 1812, and all we got in return was dead soldiers, loss of trillions, and happy Mullahs in Iran.
There are two main prerequisites to make the army moving:
-money( food,oil)
-national feeling( what they are doing have an heroic purpose usually territorial but in this case it has no relevance)
There are not only defections( Syrian Free Officers -SFO and Syrian Free Army-SFA) but rumors about "full army who refused the fight against protesters and waits in half-detention conditions.
he is going to step down, willing or not, all western countries like what is happening. they will intervene to get some benefits only. but people say even Israel may be better. people are willing to step him down
homsi... I can't staop laughing, stop joking please!! I
the rallies are peaceful and 'security men' do anything stop these rallies. they use tanks to kill the people. schools are occupied by the army. the official media say they are strickt islamists and racists though all the wardens tell: no for racism no for killing
Kol hawa ya homsi. You have a choice between the "Islamic republic of Syria" or "Israel" for your country if the government falls!!! if you choose the first you are a terrorist supporter... If you choose the latter... simply put you are a traitor!
It's already too late for Assad.
He's committed thousands of crimes against humanity.
The choice is now freedom and democracy or permanent oppression.
fix your peoblems.. pay your debt and then come back and teach us who should be our president!!
It was never too late for George W Bush and his Dick Cheney!
Freedom. Freedom too do what? Create Sharia LAw? lol
Is there oil in Syria?
some super olive oil
Who gives a f–k. It's all NATO. Those rebels wouldn't find there way out of the toilet without NATO. Let's see how they do in a real war with Iran slipping weapons and missiles to Syria. We haven't won a war lately when the other country can shoot back. We haven' won Iraq or Afganistan yet either and probably won't
Got to feed the military beast. Our #1 export.
Unless there is foreign intervention, Assad is going nowhere. Iran and Hezbullah are helping the Syrian Regime. This already causing tension in violence in Lebanon and threatens to further ignite the Sunni/Shia rift in the Middle East and beyond.
Don't worry about lebanon... one stink and Israel will get in and liberate both the sunnis and shias!!! God Bless Israel!
Bashar Assad is a dectator and his father Hafez Assad befor him they both killed and still killing the poeoples in Syria,I thank Mike and kevin because H fell them living In Syria...the dead peoples in every where in all cities in Syria...if you say No you be killed...the deads of Doctors,Engineers,lawyers,teatchers Judges,students boys,women,No country in the world now like Syria?????we ask UN to help us,do you beleave this???thats what happen in Syria by the killer Bashar Assad .
Hey, Learn some english and then ask for help... maybe they can't understand what you're saying... maybe it'll be more efficient for you to learn Hebrew... Help will come faster!
Not likely ! But Syria is fighting pro AlQaida, Saudi Arabia, corrupt world governments ! Look at the massive pro Assad rallywith the lARGE Syrian flag at Allentown, PA yesterday !!! And what of the low class countries that condemn Syria ? Turkey-they killed millions of Christian Assyrians, Armenians, Syrians, & Greeks, and still illegally occupy the Sanjak of Alexandretta in which slime France gave them ! I believe France, UK, and Germany has killed more people world wide than most of the rest of the world put together ! At least Christians in Syria are protected and have civil rights ! You cannot even recite the Lords Prayer in the USA anymore ! God bless Syria and Bashar !
First shave off his Hitler mustache and then off with Assad's head. An evil person who wears a suit is still an evil person. There is no excuse or justification for anything less.
@lex
Like there's a lot of justification for the likes of George W Bush, Dick Cheney, George Bush Sr.? Be responsible for your words!
The US citizens must wake up and realize that with only two parties, you yourselves have no democracy!!!
When you have an elite group of people that dictate the policies behind the scenes, they couldn't care less if the electors choice is african american, a woman, a trans-gender, or a man!!! Your votes are worth nothing... you pay for the electoral process with your taxes, yet those who are elected have more important agendas to deal with than the American citizens requests and aspiration. Wake up!!!
I don't think so it's not a lesson for Syria, lesson for downer agency. It's very miracle to world about UN silent behavior over Syria and also Libya.