By Fareed Zakaria
As Syria continues its descent into civil war, the terrible humanitarian tragedy occurring is unfolding in plain view: 20,000 dead, 250,000 refugees outside the country by some accounts, over a million people internally displaced.
There seems no easy solution to end the crisis. But now, Syria’s neighbors are getting worried. Syria’s problems will not stay confined to Syria. Syria is a multi-sectarian society with shared identities with groups in other countries. As a result, the sectarian tensions that are being unleashed there are also spilling over from Syria’s borders.
There was an excellent New York Times article last week that noted how the Kurds in Syria are now starting to try to leave the country and are massing on the Turkish border. They are also trying to carve out a Kurdish zone in Syria that would allow them some autonomy. This is precisely what the Kurds in Iraq did, it is what some Kurds in Turkey aspire to do, and it is what the Kurds in Syria may try to do.
Collectively, from the Kurdish point of view, this would fulfill a long held aspiration dating back decades, if not centuries, to create some kind of Kurdish community or state gathering together the Kurds of the Middle East. For those other countries involved, of course, it creates an enormous problem by exacerbating the separatist tendencies within each country’s borders. In effect, it creates safe havens for certain kinds of insurgent activities or anti-state activities and allows for the flourishing of sub-national identities. After all, Kurds in Iraq really don’t think of themselves as part of the Iraqi state – they have Kurdish passports, they speak Kurdish and the armed Kurdish fighters, the Peshmerga, are essentially the Kurdish national army.
Ahmadinejad tells Zakaria: U.S. warnings don't affect our policies
All this is going to produce tremendous strains on the entire regional system. Joe Klein had a very good column in TIME in which he pointed out that to understand the big picture here, we need to remember that the states in the Middle East have very artificial borders. These borders were created for the most part at the end of World War I, and were carved out largely by the British and French. In almost no cases do they conform to natural borders – mountains, rivers and valleys – that have been the way nations have usually been formed through history. By some accounts, the only two natural countries in the Middle East are Iran and Egypt. (One might add Turkey, though it is not wholly Middle Eastern.)
Instead, borders in the Middle East were often formed by deliberately cobbling together separate groups that in the case of Britain allowed it to rule over these countries in the full knowledge that there was no one dominant group that would be able to drive them out. Iraq is thus made up of Sunnis, Shiites and Kurds, who often place their sectarian identity above a national identity.
Ahmadinejad: I'm quite popular
The unfolding violence in Syria is tugging at this fragile state system. So, could Syria’s neighbors come to recognize that civil war in Syria is not simply an internal affair, but something likely ultimately to undermine the entire state system of the Middle East? If Syria’s neighbors do indeed recognize this, you would expect to see Saudi Arabia and Egypt on the one hand, and Iran on the other trying to find ways to rein in the violence. And there have been moves to form a “contact group” of those four powers to meet. Iran has been eager to join in but so far Saudi Arabia has refused to sit down with the Iranians.
When all is said and done, however, it’s difficult to see how any progress towards a new political order will occur with Bashar al-Assad remaining as Syria’s president. So the first step would have to be for the Iranians to recognize the inevitable and call on al-Assad to leave office.
Sadly, when I asked President Ahmadinejad about this very matter last week, his answer was not encouraging.
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When, oh when, will we be content to be just human beings living with each other for the benefit of all? No more religions, tribes or even borders.Animals, despite some naturally kill to eat, are better at living with eah other than we are. We are a tormented species.
When we discover a way to create infinite amounts of food, fresh water, and clean energy. We might have to wait a while...
"Food and fresh water".. Indeed the Syrian refugees in Iraq, Jordan and Turkey lack the daily basics and children have to bear the brunt of the civil war. Not all Syrians flee the country, in some Kurdish parts of northern Syria the opposition forces of the Democratic Union Party (PYD) and other smaller factions have all but taken over. They govern themselves and wait for the day, when Assad's regime is overthrown to announce their independence or autonomy.
Look my friend, you will NEVER eliminate religions, beliefs or values that are different than yours so you better learn to deal with it.
Oh, we have learned to deal with it well, we call them the Marines.
I understand, Cando, but the ideal of peacable living needs always be in front of us. I don't mind people having a religion or ethnicity; it's just that we all need to say that none of us has the whole truth. The only true right we humans have is to live in peace. We start by listening to each other, I guess.
You couldn't be more wrong. With solid proof anything can be made obsolete. Do you see anyone praising Ra the Sun god?
Dear Mr. Cando.
If each person practiced his own religion there would be no wars. Hoping that all religions teach to love and respect their neighbor.
Never. Conflict, including violent conflict, is a necessary ingredient of cultural and biological evolution and progress. It's as true for people as it is for any other species, including plants and bacteria. What you propose is a never changing Utopia, which by definition is impossible.
Although you may be right what you say, you may agree, is morally wrong.
Your statements are kind of unfair to those Syrians who are now risking their lives to remove Assad from power; a power he has secured for decades.
Actually everyone in Syria and the Middle East would be better off if Assad stays in power and the revolt is put down. Whadayathink is going to happen when he is ousted??? Radical Islamist Theocracy! Despite the hummantarian crisis we see today, intervening will produce a situation that is far worse.
We can't live peacefully because there are those that swing through the trees carrying huge bunches of bananas where the rest of us have only one or none at all!. The rest of us are going to want some of those bananas. We are going to try and take what we think is our share. Who cares what's right, wrong or fair? We want those bananas. Unfortunately, the banana rich guys are going to try to protect their bananas from the greedy horde of the bananaless. And when bananas are growing in short supply, life in the trees gets worse. Everyone starts fighting over the one available banana. The result is endless conflict. Always been that way and always will. Ultimately, life and death all comes down to the sacred banana. ;op
When we find something else to hate, aliens maybe ( the out of space kind, not the illegal kind).
We'd also have to end currency.
We are tormented because we have turned away from God. What is occurring in this troubled world is spoken of in the scriptures "fear not what you see there will be wars and rumors of wars...these things must be for a time..". To sum it up it is the battles between good and evil. It will all end when He decides the time is right for His return.
That's patently false. In the animal kingdom "warfare" or fighting between animal groups is extraordinarily common. For goodness sake, just turn on Animal Planet and watch the show about monkeys living in India. Their little "tribes" do nothing but fight each other for territory.
Taking a (slightly) longer view of recent history, isn't this really the final stages of World War I playing itself out? Perhaps this is why the USA, politically a marginal player in that conflict, is so ineffectual in its attempts to manage or even respond to it If not for the paralysis imposed by the cold war and its proxy conflicts, this might have all happened in the 1950s (I think of Mossadegh in Iran). Ironically, it seems many of the Ottoman (or even Roman!) provincial borders of pre-1914 more accurately reflect the cultural, social and linguistic realities of the region. One worries for Jordan and its only remain Hashemite monarch appointed in the aftermath of that terrible conflict that still plagues us today.
I've long considered the North Africa and ME arrangement, as well as the ongoing border disputes, as an extension of WWI. I wouldn't say that the USA is ineffectual because it was a bit player in the war; what I would say is that any western influence is considered to be a large reason the the problem and that any western interference with regional affairs is not welcome nor wanted. However, for better or worse, we're inextricably bound to the region by oil and Israel, to name just a couple.
Curious, why by Israel? What do we get out of that relationship? The only reason they matter to us is because ME oil matters to us. Once we don't care about ME oil what do we care about Israel for?
to answer your question Joetheplumber, its because the arabs want to kill all the Jews, and as a modern, liberal democratic-republic, we technically oppose genocide, except apparently when it involves brown folks (Rwanda, Darfur).
replying to joetheplumber: Israel is a western and modern country that is located in a troubled region and surrounded by enemies of the west. US protects it just as it would protect England if it were attacked.
BTW, you'd be surprised to learn how many Israeli products and innovations you, your family, your service providers and your country use on a daily basis. Not that it would matter otherwise, but Israel is a contributing part of the international community. Also, although it may be hidden from the general public, Israel is also a great promoter of global peace, despite the uncooperative response.
Arabs do not want to kill jews, sure some of them do, but im sure some christians and even some jews would kill jews.... stop spreading propaganda intended to demonize us, it is getting old!
The end of WWI is aptly referred to as "A Peace to End All Peace" by author, David Fromkin.
A Peace to End All Peace, 20th Anniversary Edition: The Fall of the Ottoman Empire and the Creation of the Modern Middle East
There is much in this book to explain the why and how of the artificial borders and legacy of European imperialism that plagues the middle east to this day.
Message to Zakaria WHO CARES
let those sand rats kill each other, better for the rest of the world when there is less arabs.
One cannot be an isolationist in a global setting. Conflicts in the Middle East have and will continue to spill out to other parts of the world. Perhaps it is time to revisit the border issue; the Romans, et al, had it right: create your boundaries on the bases of the group(s) in the area and not some willy-nilly decision by some empire that had no right to be in the area in the first place. In my view, the entire area needs to be redrawn ... and let all Kurds gather together, all Sunni, et cetera. And no arguing or destroying property before you relocate. Just my $0.02 worth ...
@Michael – Unfortunately modern state creation based on sects and faith has already been tried with India and Pakistan and the results to date have not been entirely effective. Both countries even with their dominant single religions have not been able to stay at peace with themselves or their neighbors. IMO the Syrian conflict will continue to rage because it fits into Iran's plans. Iran will continue to export arms and mercenaries to prop up the Syrian regime fro as long as they can because it deflects attention away from their own devious plans.
Hell of an idea!!! Problem though, unfortunately a rather fatal one, is that it is too rational and logical for it to work. As far as I know, for all its collective intelligence, humans by nature are a tad irrational. Hell of an idea though believe me. Props to you!
and fewer racists like arosel
Right on !!!
I wonder if Fareed plagiarized this article.
Is that a reference to plain not being able to have an original thought, or atypical of CNN journalism?
That's your comment? How old are you?
Why isn't the media asking Muslims why they hate and kill each other and hate the rest of the world and kill those people too? Islam seems to be a culture, not a religion, of barbaric, uncivilized, inhuman beings. Maybe we are at war with Islam.
We're not. Though we should be.
The Islamic nutcases actually believe the world must follow their rules. It will not get better in the future only
Worse as Islam grows. They will one day get either nukes or chemical weapons and inflict huge damage
On the people of this planet and then we will have no choice but to declare war on Islam and wipe it out.
The future is before us but at this moment in time the leaders still think we can negotiate. Our leaders are fools!
Fareed – I don't think you are aware of the incitefulness of your article. You are basically trying to predict the demise of Syria without understanding the relationships the Syrians of all ethnicities and cultures have with one another. Whoever told you that only 20k ppl have been killed is also understating the death toll. Kurds, Druze, Alawites, Sunni's, Shiites, Ismaelis, etc., have lived in Syria peacefully for many years. Your article is almost saying that sectarian violence is bound to happen. You should promote peace rather than violence.
Hopefully, the one bright spot that may come out of all this turmoil will be the creation of a Kurdish home state. The PKK has been fighting the Turks since 1984 for that right. It's quite ironic that the U.N. recognized the right of the Israelis to create their home state in 1948 but says nothing about the Kurdish right to do so. Let's hope that that changes.
It is a matter of time before the 35 million Kurds of the Middle East who are now are willing to fight and die for their country will get their own country where they can speak and teach their own language and name their children their own Kurdish names instead of the name of their occupiers.
Kurds in Turkey are allowed to use their Kurdish names and speak their own language. Stop living in the 80s.
As far as I can remember, I am on record as an advocate for the Independent Kurdish State. All wars in the world are caused either by a quest for territory, or nationhood, or both. Underlying these quests is often a lack of freedom. No people should leave for centuries displaced and hopeless. This is what the Turks, the Iraqis, and the Syrians imposed imposed on the Kurds under the pretekst of "charity". There is no charity in enslaving a people! The Kurds deserve to be free!
Troubledgoodangel/Voiceinthedesert: Who's enslaving who? Turkey even had a Kurd president (Turgut Ozal), if Turkey was enslaving the Kurdish people as you claim, then please explain how the Kurds have a political party and are allowed to vote etc. You probably haven't even been to Turkey, yet you talk about Kurds who should be freed. Kurds are free to do whatever they want in Turkey. Try educating yourself before you spew ignorant talk.
I'm sorry to break it to you Joseph, but the PKK is a terrorist organization intent on killing innocent civilians to get it's message across which is to establish a Communist state. PKK is recognized as terrorist by both the US and EU. So by 'hoping' that the PKK wins, you're supporting the violence and instability of the region. First, I'd like to remind you that the Kurds already have a autonomous state in Northern Iraq. Second, Kurds in Turkey enjoy as many rights as Turks do. They're allowed to speak their language freely and even have their own government party called the BDP.
Ferhat, your comment above against the Kurds is tantamount to calling out founding fathers here in America terrorists as well. In fact, had that T-word existed back in 1776, the British would have called our founding fathers that name too. Terrorism is just another form of warfare used by the disadvantaged against a more powerful opponent. The bottom line is that the Kurds do deserve their independence from Turkey.
Marine5484: There are many differences between the PKK and the ‘Founding Fathers’ both in their methods and the situation. Comparing them both is like comparing apples and oranges. What you’re describing is rebellion, not terrorism. You seem to confuse the two. Let me make clear for you… Rebellion involves violence against military targets (e.g. Military bases, convoys, supply lines, aircraft etc.). Terrorism mostly involves violence against civilian targets (e.g. Apartment buildings, public transportation busses, kidnapping tourists, airliners, roadside bombs, suicide bombing etc.). So guess which one the PKK belongs to… Terrorism! I can give you hundreds of examples where innocent civilians have been killed by the hand of the PKK. In contrast, the ‘Founding Fathers’ engaged mostly in rebellion. Also, keep in mind that the British had 13 colonial states to loose. Colonial being the key term here… The PKK intends to split a country apart, not separate a colony.
As Sunni as I take a Shiite, I will flush the Kurd down the toilet.
Don't for get to wipe your Assad.
Is that you Phunnie boy, now posting under the name of As? Whether you are or not, you still sound like a Tea Partying nitwit ranting against the Kurds. The Kurds have just as much right to have a homeland as do the Israelis. Moreover, if both NATO and the Arab League would only butt out, the Syrian civil war might end on it's own!
Fareed is a joke and a fearmonger.
Please excuse Beavis. He just got home from school and hasn't had his nap yet.
Absolutely
So, the so-called "Arab Spring" is in reality, a regional Arab Civil War, although that hardly seems adequate to describe the obvious, sectarian war sweeping the entire Middle East and Africa. Recent history is not a good teacher here, as the forces in play in these regions are far more complex, insidious and far-reaching; an "X-Event" unfolding on a global scale.
CNN's credibilioty is undermined by having a thief on its payroll. CNN must offer it readers the rational to bring back Fareed who has been found guilty of stealing content. Is there not a single commentator left in the country with credibility who can be hired instead? Shame on you CNN.
They are not going to give you his job because you dont plagiarize but write a whole lot of crap instead. Do you know anything about the matter in this article? I guess not. Take your filthy face off your a** and talk about the topic in the article than having to discriminate the author.
Certainly Not News and Plagiarists are like peas and carrots.
"I am very popular" is not encouraging? how's that? sounds very encouraging to the rest of us as it confirms that his delusions are still intact and his place in history as a buffoon is guaranteed.
What is the Arab League doing about this??
Hi Fareed,
Who did you steal this from?
Thanks,
You have no credibility
Fareed, the middle east lost any sympathy, compassion, or hope that they could ever hope to expect from the west. All of the details about factions and ethnicities have become little more than trivia. The understanding in the west is that the only time there is peace in the middle east is when people stop to reload.
Syria is exactly the same as the rest of the region. It was carved-up by the French and the British to create the neighboring states. It is a violent police regime unfit for a civilized government. Muslims fight non-Muslims and each other. America needs energy independence and quarantine of the OPECistan zone.
The "inevitable" as Zakaria well knows is that mostt Syrians are sick of the rebels and want all the foreign jihadists out of their country. When that happens, peace will return to Syria.
Coming from an Anti-Semite, his statements are laughable and both concealed. Zakaria is a "TOOL" for the liberal mindless, and nothing more. What a farce.
Alot of people that matter think otherwise. Hhe's writing articles and is hired by organizations as a political analyst while you....what do you do?
When are you going to resign, Mr. Zakaria? Have you no shame? Are you not an admitted plagiarist? If so, why do you continue to write for CNN?
@ Tom – People care about what he has to say, that's why he has a career doing this. While you, no one is hiring you for your analysis I presume?
Problem is, CNN hired Fareed and got someone ELSE'S analysis. Ergo, his credibility is shaky at this time.
just kill all jews in the end under any cost. youll see difference
Yes, blame the jews. It is the jews fault that arabs are killing arabs (along with non-believers) all over the world. Are people afraid of walking onto an airplaine in any country because they think a jew is going to blow it up, or an arab?? Don't bother answering that, I know your kind, just blame the jews. Look around you people, open your eyes. Radical Islam is a barbaric, medieval cult that in due time, will push the rest of the world into chaos and destruction. Anyone that defends or supports it, should go live in the desert and stay there. Leave Israel and the rest of the civilized world to live in peace.
What a redneck pig!! Do you know anything about this world or history? The problem is there are far too many americans who still belive those same thoughts that the Nazi's tried to spread. Yea sure blame the Jews sounds like you know EVERYThing... IDIOT!
Fareeds liberal plagaristic Muslim bias threatens this country!
Your paranoid anti-Muslim hatred is the kind of thing that threatens this country. Open your mind, bigot!
And open YOUR eyes. It's not paranoia if they really are out to get you.
Iran is currently moving troops and arms into Syria. Russia has it's only remaining aircraft carrier parked in Tartus, where the they maintain a Naval base. The US has 3 aircraft carriers with their full battle groups, Bombers and no doubt another AC at Dieago Garcia. The French, British and Germany have also sent their newest and most advanced naval ships to the region. War is coming, not regional, after the next pres elections. Wake up. Jordan's King Abdulla has been given an altamatum from the Muslim Brotherhood, create a parlimentary monarchary or prepare to abdicate, by OCT 10, 2012. It's a powder cag over there, it's not about the strawmen, ie crazy movie, oil, israel it's about the restoration of the Ottaman Empire via an Iranian Caliphate, it's about shira law, it's about Islam. If it were about oil we could find solutions, if it were about Israel we could acheive peace, if it's really about a movie ..... we can send them medication!
That was hilarious! I think you send your note to Stephen Colbert. Maybe he'll use it on tonight's show. Really funny stuff!!
AZakaria doesn't know his head from a hole in the ground...let the moslems worry about the middle east and we stay out of it...
Jews undermine our govt. They have bankrupted our nation by Jew-interest wars and jew engineered economic collapse. Our economic and cultural treasures have been robbed by these same parasites and our govt rendered useless. Future looks bleek
You sound very educated and informed – NOT.
One day a Jew might cure your cancer.
This is America. We have no cultural treasures.
Syria is run by a corrupt regime, similar to Iran's mullahs. Both Iran and Syria have twisted visions of Islam and that the rest of world is "not fair." Both have severely undermined their currencies and have run their economies into the ground. Both need each other or they will be overrun by their own citizens. The ethniticities described in this article are merely fissures in the cracks of anarchy encroaching on these regimes. The US should simply step back and let these countries implode.
With respect, Mr. Zakaria, The problem is the people. We can have peace in any area until you add people.
The people here are kept in poverty and ignorance by their leaders. For centuries this has been the case.
And how has THAT worked out?
As long as people are focused on how to put a chicken in the pot they can't focus on who is running the country into the ground. Once they figure out that their leaders have 3 hots and a cot, the stuff hits the fan.
Could it happen any other way?
I do not understand this division between Sunni, Shiite, and Kurdish....
It is either Arab, or Kurd.... or Sunni or Shiite... Because most Kurds are also Sunni Musilms!!
President al-Assad Issues Decree Allowing University Students to Pass to Next Year with Eight Failed Subjects
President Bashar al-Assad on Monday issued decree no. 346 for 2012 which allows university students to pass to the next academic year if they have failed up to eight subjects from the 2011-2012 academic year.
The decree also permits failing students to study four subjects from the next year, in addition to providing students who failed to apply to exams in 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 a chance to apply in either semesters of 2012-2013.
As per this decree, the 2011-2012 academic year doesn't count as part of the academic year limit for students who exhausted all chances to apply for exams for this year.
In a statement, Minister of Higher Education Dr. Mohammad Yehea Moalla said that the decree allows students to take exams as it suits their conditions, noting that the decree will benefit many students, particularly those who were held back due to the current events in some provinces.
He added that benefitting from this decree is selective.
In turn, Chairman of the National Union of Syrian Students Dr. Amaar Sa'ati said that students who were expelled in the 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 academic years for exhausting the allotted number of academic years will benefit from this decree, allowing them to continue their studies.
For his part, Rector of Damascus University Dr. Mohammad Amaar Mardini said that although this decree will put extra burdens on universities' administrations, it will help students feel more comfortable and calm regarding their academic performance, hoping that it will motivate students to study hard and overcome difficulties.
Al-Moallem: Key to Make Brahimi's Mission a Success is in the Hands of Countries which Fund and Arm Terrorists in Syria
Foreign and Expatriates Minister Walid al-Moallem affirmed that the key to make the mission of UN Envoy to Syria Lakhdar Brahimi a success lies having Syria's neighboring countries, other countries and the west cease their support and harboring of terrorists, warning that the US and all those who support terrorism are bound to get a taste of its poison.
In an interview on al-Mayadine TV broadcast in full on Monday, October 01, 2012 al-Moallem voiced confidence that the tolerant and patriotic Syrian people will overcome the crisis by engaging in a comprehensive national reconciliation that would reconstruct the Syrian social fabric and build a better future for Syria and its children.
The Minister pointed out that the positions of countries that Syria considers sides in the conspiracy against it haven't changed based on what he witnessed during the meetings of the United Nations General Assembly, noting that there were other grey positions that have now shifted to supporting Syria, demanding ending violence and finding a polticial, peaceful solution to the situation in Syria through comprehensive national dialogue.
On the calls of the Arab League Secretary-General Nabil al-Arabi for implementing Chapter VII of the UN Security Council against Syria, al-Moallem said "the reason for his obsession with Chapter VII could be his jealousy from his predecessor and his work in Libya."
Qualitative Operations Eliminate Substantial Number of Terrorists
The armed forces on Monday carried out a qualitative operation against a large gathering of terrorists in the 5th Industry School in al-Marjeh neighborhood in Aleppo city.
The operation resulted in inflecting heavy losses upon terrorists.
Another qualitative operation targeted a gathering for terrorists in al-Danah village, Aleppo countryside causing heavy casualties among the terrorists.
Several operations also were carried out by our armed forces against terrorists' headquarters in Qadi Askar and Bab al-Hadid roundabout, near the Cultural Center in Hanano and Dar al-Shifaa in al-Shaar.
The operations led to the elimination of a substantial number of terrorists.
A unit of the armed forces carried out a qualitative operation against terrorists near the Eastern Garage in Qadi Askar area in Aleppo. The operation resulted in destroying a SUV and two vehicles and killing all the terrorists inside them.
In Damascus countryside, a unit of the armed forces discovered a field hospital in Aqil Mosque in Harasta. The hospital contains a large amount of medicine.
Authorities Eliminate Scores of Terrorists in al-Samalili, Homs Countryside
Authorities confronted an armed terrorist groups which were intimidating the civilians and attacking the law-enforcement members in al-Samalil village in al-Houleh area in Homs countryside.
SANA reporter quoted a source in the province as saying that the clashes resulted in the killing of scores of terrorists and the injury of others.
People of Harasta: Syria's Army is the Sole Guarantor for Syria's Future
The Syrian army started pursuing the armed terrorist groups which disseminated chaos and terrorism in Harasta in Damascus countryside.
In interviews with SANA, People of Harasta talked about the acts of the terrorist groups which set up roadblocks, terrified the residents and committed looting and sabotage acts.
Wael from Harasta said he was able to go to work only when the army came to the area, adding that "My family has been in Harasta for 70 years, we don't accept chaos and we don't hesitate to inform about the terrorists who are trying to ruin our lives."
He added "We were afraid of driving our cars because we were afraid the cars will be stolen. Now that the army entered the area, we can continue our work normally."
A nearby lady who was looking at the soldiers and hailing them told SANA reporter that "After the Syrian army arrived in the area, we feel safe now, we are not afraid anymore."
The people of Harasta helped the army and guided the soldiers to terrorists' hideouts and caches used by the terrorists to hide their weapons and ammunition.
They stressed that "Building and developing Syria can't be reached by terrorism. The Syrian army is the only guarantor for the future of our country."
Syrian Arab Army facilitates medical and food aid to Aleppo countryside
Syrian Arab Army units distributed on Monday in cooperation with Aleppo province medical and food aid to the affected families in Nubl district in Aleppo countryside.
People of Nubl district expressed happiness as the Syrian Arab army answered their calls to provide food and medical aid, calling for intensifying the presence of the Syrian army and eliminating the terrorists who are terrifying the citizens.
Nubl district has suffered from lack of medicine and food stuff before the Syrian army provided the citizens with all medical and food aid they needed.
Well, Leon Panetta will be glad to know where the chemical weapons went.
Is this essay by Fareed plagerized in whole or in part?
Hey, Fareed actually cited stuff this time!
In how many countries and parts of the world are arabs stoning, killing, or torturing others in the name of Islam, the Quran, and the holy prophet Mohammed?? It has been years since a single day goes by without news regarding this barbaric cult. And yet, people continuously point to "the jews" as being the root cause of everything. Not all Muslims are terrorists, but 1% (and growing) of a billion is still too much. The jews have been defending themselves against these maniacs since for centuries. Only now, is the rest of the world starting to see and be affected by the actions of radical islam. But alas, it is the "jews" fault for all of the mysery and death in the arab world.
witness Kurdish powder.
Assuring to see its capacity
I find it funny all this talk about kurds, sunni, ..... not gettiing along and that we should redraw the borders to help them have autonomy. Then in this country we are supposed to have open borders, no descrimination, and accept each individual for there religious belief. Seems Ironic.
The Clash of Civilizations continues apace. Too many posters here are focused on the near term issues of the Middle East and lose sight of the bigger picture. Read the book: "The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order ", by S. Huntington. Study a little cultural anthropology. Think.
For all people who have a problem with the state of Israel.
When the Ottoman Empire collapsed after WW1, The British and The French
carved up the states that exist today.
Kuwait had been part of Iraq/Mesapotamia for thousands of years.
Kuwait City is the shipping point for most of the oil.
The British carved Kuwait into a nation state so they
could control the oil.
Why dont people bycht about that ?
No Jews.
Israel is an easy distraction for the arabs and the racists of the world. Even on an article discussing arab atrocities in other countries, the jews are somehow brought into the discussion. I'm not a jew or an israeli, but I am a logical, rational person, and can very easily see through the arab propaganda. They claim that Israel is ethnically cleansing and murdering the palestinians, and that the Palestinians are "being subjected to genocide". How come their population has skyrocketed????? Israel is the only modern and civilized country in the entire region, and the bloodthirsty arabs can't stand it!!!
The mess Britain and France made of the Middle East during their empire ages is now unravelling.
I don;t understand how Fareed, who is such a student of history, can be so shocked by the brutal conditions that exist in the latest nation where the people are trying to agin their freedom. Freedom is hard work, and it is rarely pretty. That's why it takes a great generation to achieve and maintain freedom.
You can't achieve freedom with a bunch of couch potatoes or coffee shop intellectuals, you have to sacrifice, sometimes it costs your life.
Fareed, when are you going to grow up?
The solution is to stop the Press Terrorism of non-stop propaganda which keeps people in a permanent state of alarm. Then maybe we can have peace for a change.Our "democracy' is not served by bought media that keeps us in endless wars. Censorship in the media manipulating comments to meet the desired effect got us into too many endless wars. For your info ( you guys seem to live in some distant Eldorado) ,with media that serves PROPAGANDA OF THE STATE there can not be any DEMOCRACY, you guys sold it out.
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People died and Obama lied. Four dead in Benghazi.
Because CNN continues to ignore this story, remember 9/11 II.
Palestine must be free.. who cares about the 25,000 Syrians? They are killed by other Muslims so that's ok with me but when stinking Israelis & Jews kill a few Islamic terrorists I need to scream at the top of my lungs. Forget that in one year, more Arabs died in Syria than since the creation of that vile Jew state in over 70 years... As I said, when Syria kills Arabs they do us a favor but when a Jew kills a Jihadi, may Allah strike him to the ground. Besides, we Arabs give the world oil... Israel, they only give technology (cell phone, computers), medical breakthroughs (like heart monitoring devices) and scientific breakthroughs (like space exploration technology).. feh... what the hell does the world need with those hundreds of Israeli & Jewish Nobel Prize winners for helping humanity... we have all the oil, and don't forget our 2 Nobel Prize winners also. Viva Palestina! and please don't forget support Hamas, we don't only kill Americans but mostly Jews. Our charity is 501(C4) tax deductible.
If this isn't sacarasm, OMG, a blatant racist, terrorist! CNN censors are asleep.
Please don't confuse people with sarcasm or reality. They'll believe what they're told.
Fakestine is merely a neighborhood that requires gentrification.
Hey Fareed, kind of how plagiarism threatens journalism?
As long as the people in the middle east are killing each other and not bothering us, I don't care. They are always killing each other and they always end up with another dictator. No american money or lives for these yahoos and any weapons are cash and carry .Don't open our borders to them as political refugees or fleeing persecution or anything else.
I swear I read this somewhere else last week. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm...
Posted 2 comments earlier, none appearing. Testing to see if this one show up...
Its irony that banner of DEMOCRACY in middle east is being carried by fanatics Wahhabi & SALAFIs, with active support of West. Their model seems to topple secular regimes and impose their version of Talibani rule of law. Its time to decide, should we tolerate secular autocracy or Saudi Wahhabism under the garb of democracy? Look at the democracies in Libya, Iraq, Egypt and Pakistan.
@ David J
Although you may be right what you say, you may agree, is morally wrong.
October 2, 2012 at 2:54 pm |
******************************************
What is moral or immoral is completely dependent on the culture/society/religion that determines what is morally acceptable. And in large part those differences of opinion regarding morality is the proximate cause of most wars throughout history. So no, I will not agree warfare is morally wrong. What is wrong, is losing.
So who really wrote this article for him?
Well, for a term that CNN will actually accept, this is an absolute "poop-storm." The Kurds want/deserve independence, the four major national "Mid-East" powers have to somehow work together, sectarian divisions across all regional players?...oh jeez. There's no way out of this one. The U.S doesn't even have to get involved for this war to bring the world to its knees...although it inevitably will. Take your seats, ladies and gentleman, the end is very F'ing nigh...
There are too many people on the planet. Give both sides more weapons.
OK- here's what they are NOT saying. We know that the Syrians have chemical weapons and we suspect that they have biological weapons.
NO ONE can say what Bashar al-Assad will do if he is backed into a corner. It's also clear that Hezbollah (Iran) is backing him.
It seems certain that the situation will get worse before it gets better. Look out for epidemics breaking out inside Syria. Cholera in particular. It has been used before as a bio-weapon in war zones because it can pass as a natural outbreak.
Look out for the use of nerve gas. The use of chemical weapons on civilians would trigger intervention by NATO or the UN.
Chemical and bio weapons have been used for at least 5000 years. And they will continue to be used into the distant future. About the only thing that changes is the delivery system.
Is there anyone else here that thinks all the problems being caused around the world by arabs killing everyone is really the Jews fault?
And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee, and another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth.
world warped 3 world wake up stop fighting
Only the dead have seen the end of war. Get used to it.
It is no secret that Mahatma Gandhi (Hindu leader) was a pedophile. What is very disturbing is his relationship (!) and friendship with Hitler. He is known to have offered advice and encouragement to Hitler and his Nazi Party to undertake the Jewish Holocaust.
We are also well aware of the deep rooted connections of Hindu Terror Groups headquartered in India to International Terror Groups such as Al Qaeda. These groups have an extremist philosophy, Neo Nazi bent and are the torch bearers/successors to Al Qaeda. The sooner they are droned by Americans the safer the world and minorities in India will be.
You couldn't be more mistaken on all counts. Take a deep breath and think happier thoughts.
It is a shame to read the amount of hate in the comments ....... because most of the world is full of good people wanting peace for their family. Thank God the comments on this page do not represent the world.
International law is everything...... I would like to see both sides at least adhere to that idea.
The way it is now...... it is ignored at every turn. Even Obama does not get it.
Deryk, this is administrative for GPS, can you inform me about who the men in blue are please.
The prblem will not be just the impact of a civil war in syria. The losers will try to destabilize their neighbours. The first signs of this are to be seen with Kurdish uprising in Turkey. There is very little doubt that Shia groups will intensify their struggles in Saudi arabia and the Gulf. Syrian regime will not go down without spoiling it for everyone in the region
I think Ahmadinejad knows exactly what you spelled out will happen to the ME if Assad relinquishes his power to the multiple diff. groups within Syria.
plagiarism, thy name is Fareed
Hopefully it will spread to other ME nations. Ragheads.killing.ragheads is a good thing.
... we have tried and tried to get a lasting peace...it has not worked...lets go the other way and have a mid east war
involing all the middle eastern states and see what we can do with those that survive ....could not do any worse than we are now...
Treat to Turkey is not political but substantial at Turkey's doorstep now. 5 people killed and about a dozen injured because of a shell which exploded in Akcakale- a county near the border. And a second shell exploded in another county. However, I do not believe the material harm caused is greater than the unrest in the region. I sincerely hope that no other country in the region will get involved in this civil war.
Ahmadinejad should be put through a meat grinder, and should be fed to the pigs, which should then be forcefed to the supreme loser Khomenei, right before he is hung. As with all crazy islamic jihadi nut jobs, these guys should be exterminated!!!!! What a crazy barbaric backward culture.
Has there ever been peace in the mideast ?
If Fareed understands that the state system in the Middle East was set up by colonial powers as part of a divide and rule strategy thereby leaving us with an inherently unstable system, why is he so opposed to the system correcting itself and a more natural international order working itself out? If the Palestinians deserve statehood, then how much more so do the Kurds?
The Syrian refugees lack basic needs and so many people blame Assad.BUT before the rebels started the civil war how many refugees were leaving for other countries. Assad didn't close the borders to anyone wanting to leave.The rebels are the ones responsible for starting a civil war under the pretense of wanting a democracy.There will be no democracy in Syria only a takeover by the muslim brotherhood.if Assad is ousted. Put the blame where it belongs.
I laugh every time they mention refugees when we have 12 million illegal aliens wandering around our streets and nobody knows who they are or what they are doing here . Syria has a mere 250,000 refugees and its such a big deal to our govt that we'll get involved in their war but will not do anything about 12 million illegal alien invaders here in America. HOW SAD.
Get rid of the Jews and there will finally be world peace.
The greatest threat to Middle East and World Peace are the United States and Israel! Get rid of Israel and a new age will begin! There are no other neighboring countries to Iran or in the Middle East who are complaining of wanting to bomb Iran's nuclear facilities. This is all American, U.K., and Israeli propaganda. Israel has no nuclear weapons...so the outcry from Israel. Israel will be 'Showered with Candies' from the East, South and North. Iran does not need nuclear weapons. Americans are no longer buying Israeli or American media biased propaganda for the sake of the "Zionist Nation" of Israel. As Americans we are "FED UP" with this crap. NO MORE ECONOMIC OR MILITARY AID TO AN PRO-APARTHEID OCCUPIER who claims to be democratic! I agree with Jimmy Carter-Israel must change or lose its status and soveriegnty as a nation. NO TICKY....NO SHIRTY!!!
President Bashar al-Assad,
Why dont ou just stop the violence and leave your position as well as your country. Thousands died already, millions hates you and your leadership. It is not healthy to be popular when you got the worong branding or in your case, the ugly Branding. Dont you think its about time to give your people freedome and make them experience the fgoodness of life?? NOT THE HELL YOURE GIVING THEM!!! Anyways, i am a muslim before but i chose the christian way. I chose it not because being a muslim has a bad impression to anyone or something.. that's not my point.. . but whenever i look back in the islamic way of life i learned, i dont think Allah promotes those violence you have introduced. Wake up!!. The World wants you down. so step down.. Face the consequences and repent. God forgives people, he loves us unconditionally.. I am a concerned student of the University of Santo Tomas, Philippines, hoping and Praying for the whole thing.
Rugay, Claude
Clauderugay@yahoo.com
1SCL
Good day, this is a direct letter to the President of Syria (Bashar al-Assad)
Man in nature is good, there is no religion or belief that can change that fact. It is also a natural way to do what is ethical for the welfare of the human race. It is written in this article that "it’s difficult to see how any progress towards a new political order will occur with Bashar al-Assad remaining as Syria’s president. So the first step would have to be for the Iranians to recognize the inevitable and call on al-Assad to leave office." and the facts stated that "the terrible humanitarian tragedy occurring is unfolding in plain view: 20,000 dead, 250,000 refugees outside the country by some accounts, over a million people internally displaced." all is stated and nothing is needed to be said. You are violating the rights of mankind that NO RELIGION encourages or agrees with. This message will be short but lethal. If you want to stay and reign Syria for many years to come then make Syria a healthful, civilized, and God-fearing country. Because no man can become a God. You may change the people's religion, beliefs but you cannot change their faith. For goodness never fail. It's either you stepdown to your leadership or face the consequences that no man should give but only your God will give you.
A letter of a concerned thomasian student. I will pray for you, and your country.
David, Jason
hybrid1796@gmail.com
1BES
I humbly request the President of Syria (Bashar al-Assad) to peacefully step down as you are doing my harm then good especially when it comes to the 20,000 dead, 250,000 refugees and the other million people who are internally displaced. You may have had plans for your beloved country but shedding blood is not the Muslim nor Christian way or any other faith. Again please step down and stop the suffering and let you and you're country be at peace.
A message from a humble thomasian.
Koe,Johan
yohankoe@yahoo.com
1BES
A direct letter to President Bashar Al-Assad
With all due respect, I earnestly believe that maintaining peace and order in a country does not require violence. Whenever deaths and casualties are increasing the more these protesters are eager to revolt. May the turmoil in your country end and I hope that you may learn that being a leader is not merely controlling the citizen under your jurisdiction. Remember that initially this PEOPLE have all their capacities to feel, think, etc. and shall have the right to express it and most importantly their precious lives which no one has the right to take it away from them.
Considering the adverse happening in your country today, please step down from your position or at least contemplate on the lives that had been sacrifice in this war.
Christine Siguenza
2BES2
University of Santo Tomas
contrastine@yahoo.com
President Bashar al-Assad
sir, terrible thing is going on your country where is under your leadership. People are wounded not only their physical body but also the mind inside them. your decision making is so important. please open your eyes and see what is going on in your mother country and please listen the sound of crying of the children who will lead your country for coming generation. you should hand over a peaceful country.
sir, i truly ask you to step down from your position
Kim on you
2BES2
University of Santo Tomas
rlaannie@naver.com
To President Bashar Al-Assad,
Sir, open your eyes, look at your people and your country. Do you even know what's happening to your motherland? How many more lives must be taken to pay the price of your rule? How many more homes should be destroyed just to showcase what your powers can do? How long must your country and your people endure this turmoil? Sir, was there even a day or a time that no one died? You being a leader should know better. While you're at charge, everything is at risk. Please have the heart to end this so that everyone will be able to live there lives in ease again and that you too, sir, will have a peace of mind. A leader will be remembered for the things he has done for his land. People are dying, I hope you understand this situation. Innocent people are dying, children are dying. If you care about them, please, with all due respect, step down from your position.
Jan Paola Sawit
1POL1
University of Santo Tomas
paola_mine1503@yahoo.com
President Al-Assad.
Sir, look at your country! Do you think that Syria was ok? Look for your own eyes on what is Happening in Syria. There are many people who died in the war and there are many infrastructures that was ruined. If you have care in your country, please step down of your position.
Bryan Trajano
1SCL
University of Santo Tomas
yoyeahyo@live.com.ph
President Bashar Al-Assad
With all due respect sir, I am requesting you to step down peacefully as the President of Syria. It is undeniable that Syria, under your current administration suffered unbearable damages to the properties, people and Syria itself. I firmly believe that stepping down from your position is the best answer to end cruelty and chaos and this could pave the way for peace.
John David Agbayani
1LM1
University of Santo Toma, Manila Philippines
johndhelthon@yahoo.com.ph
President Bashar Al-assad
if you as a president cannot contain of maintain peace in Syria, might as well step down than forcing yourself to reign over Syria. it is already evident that peace in the middle east is hard to achieve due to artificial borders. you sir are only adding up to the turmoil of this unstable territorial claim. instead of wasting time killing your people, why not focus on uniting your country with other countries in the middle east to lessen tensions that could create world war 3 originating from middle east? I humbly ask for you to step down. if you do not plan to improve your country or end the civil war, your actions or lack of prevention of further disaster might lead to a domino effect with your neighboring countries.
Adrianne Sy
2LM2
University of Santo Tomas
adsy07@yahoo.com
Mr. President, if you truly love your country, you would do things for the betterment of it. You will not harm the citizens in your country. If you really are a true leader, you will not think of your selfish needs, you will think of everyone. If you want to have peace among everyone, I strongly believe that it wont be gained through violence. We ask you with all our mind and hearts, Mr. President Bashar Al-Assad, to please step down.
Kasan, Aishawara I.
2BES2
University of Sto. Tomas
aishakasan@yahoo.com
President Bashar Al Assad
Please give the people of syria a lasting peace, show them that a true leader is the one who cares.
Clarisse Ivy Tepora
1pol1
University of sto. tomas
We want to ask with all our hearts and with all our minds for President Bashar Al Assad to step down.
Please give the people of Syria a chance to choose their leader.
Cajepe, Cher Niña F.
2BES2
University of Santo Tomas
erised@hotmail.ph
We want to ask with all our hearts and with all our minds that President Bashar Al Assad to please step down.
A true leader would not hurt his people; please give Syria peace.
Tarnate, Alexandra T.
2BES2
University of Sto. Tomas
alec_tarnate@yahoo.com
A message of appeal to Pres. Al-Asaad
Mr. President Sir, please step down.
Give the people of Syria what is due to them.
Damasen, Angelica
2-ELS
UST
Dear President Assad,
Please step down in the name of Democracy.
Thank you.
Sarah Jane Casasola, 2ELS, University of Santo Tomas