Since the Syrian protests began, numerous academics, experts, etc. have tried their best to synthesize neat and objective analysis on the current situation. Here, I feel the need to voice my personal views on what's going on in the country of my childhood.
I must admit that when the Tunisian and Egyptian protests first started, I supported the idea of Syrian reforms without a radical change in leadership for fear of ensuing chaos. I still had faith in the leadership at that time. Now, however, I find it extremely difficult to respect a regime that readily crushes anyone who dares to voice views different from those dictated by it. In addition to the continuous oppression carried out by the regime against its people, the country has lost signigicant prospects for investment that would've greatly helped alleviate standards of living. The strategy adapted by the government does nothing but drain the country of its current and future resources and potential. It has truly turned into a malignant tumor that needs to be excised before it cosnumes its host.
What's remarkable, however, is the lukewarm international and Arab reaction towards the atrocities committed by the Syrian government. Some have attributed the delayed condemnation either to fear of regional instability or strategic alliances. Regardless of reasons, one fact remains true: a Syrian soul is worth as much as a Libyan one. Until the international community realizes that, the opposition will have to rely on themselves and probably the moral support from opposition outside the country. Radical reforms will not truly take place unless protests are revved up every day into the full throttle mode of those occuring on Fridays.
Click here for a progress report on the protests: http://www.icontact-archive.com/Bm8lHV2mhxCcOgrfaR4ODIflgRJg1oPy?w=3
(Painting: the Guernica by Pablo Picasso)