The Analysis here of Israel seems right on, but the dignity of the Syrian people will not be redeemed by the likes of Al Qaida and Isis, which is the armed majority of the forces that overthrew Asaad, with Nato weaponry. When the US backed the Mujahideen in Afghanistan, it was short-sighted. Israel backed Hamas, and it was short-sighted. This is another Libya and one has to fear for the Syrian people even if a brutal dictator is now gone.
Lastly, Erdogan has only taken rhetorical stances against Israel. From a behavioral perspective - they've been enormously supportive. They have not cut oil or commerce and now they've engineered the fall of Assad which is a huge victory for Netanyahu. Privately, Erdogan is quite a friend to Netanyahu.
Peter points out a key shortcoming in parts of the left by reminding us that all peoples deserve freedom, even those who seek to overthrow our ideological enemies' enemies. Iran's and Syria's former regimes are as deserving of overthrow as the Zionist regime, as ISIS and Russia's regime as essential to overthrow as our own Republican fascists. Even progressive/leftist states like South Africa fall short in this respect as in its support for both Palestinians and Ukraine's Russian oppressors at the same time.
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham may yet repay the debt of gratitude for Hamas' support of the Syrian people's uprising.
Thank you for this excellent, perceptive commentary, from start to finish. But I think there could have been a stronger note of caution that what is coming in Syria might yet turn out to be pretty awful -- though one hopes and prays not.
The Analysis here of Israel seems right on, but the dignity of the Syrian people will not be redeemed by the likes of Al Qaida and Isis, which is the armed majority of the forces that overthrew Asaad, with Nato weaponry. When the US backed the Mujahideen in Afghanistan, it was short-sighted. Israel backed Hamas, and it was short-sighted. This is another Libya and one has to fear for the Syrian people even if a brutal dictator is now gone.
Lastly, Erdogan has only taken rhetorical stances against Israel. From a behavioral perspective - they've been enormously supportive. They have not cut oil or commerce and now they've engineered the fall of Assad which is a huge victory for Netanyahu. Privately, Erdogan is quite a friend to Netanyahu.
Once again, excellent analysis.
As a Syrian American, I approve this message
Peter points out a key shortcoming in parts of the left by reminding us that all peoples deserve freedom, even those who seek to overthrow our ideological enemies' enemies. Iran's and Syria's former regimes are as deserving of overthrow as the Zionist regime, as ISIS and Russia's regime as essential to overthrow as our own Republican fascists. Even progressive/leftist states like South Africa fall short in this respect as in its support for both Palestinians and Ukraine's Russian oppressors at the same time.
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham may yet repay the debt of gratitude for Hamas' support of the Syrian people's uprising.
Don't hold your breath.
Thank you for this excellent, perceptive commentary, from start to finish. But I think there could have been a stronger note of caution that what is coming in Syria might yet turn out to be pretty awful -- though one hopes and prays not.