Today marks the 40th day since protests erupted in Syria. While they started sporadically and reluctantly as if testing the water, the protests have gained momentum by day reaching a peak yesterday after Friday prayers leading to the death of 88 civilians according to some news sources. The government's tactics in responding to the protestors seems to indicate a muddled decision-making process and absence of centralized authority. The responses have varied between media blackout, concessions, and violent crackdown. Similar desperate measures are reminiscent of the last days of Mubarak. But, unlike Egypt, Syria's army falls under the president's command, which could mean an extensive draining battle before Syrians are finally able to draw the curtains on an era of repression. Another noteworthy factor is the fate of other dictators in the region, namely Libya's Gaddafi and Yemen's Saleh, which ultimately impact the protestors' morale. Toppling neighboring dictators previously had the effect of emboldening protestors and reinvigorating their stance.
While it is still very early to judge how the events will unfold during these crucial moments, it is inarguable that these are historic times for the country ...
(Picture: historical city of Bosra in southern Syria)
