Assad's Guile

In his usual mild mannered discourse President Assad of Syria presents himself as an open minded moderate leader that fully understands the complexities in his own country as well as the region as a whole, contrast that with the actual common living standards in Syria and the way the regime treats its opposition, you will get a completely different picture. President Assad has no interest in advancing the peace in Iraq, Lebanon, or Palestine. Syria thrives on the chaos in the countries surrounding its borders provided that the trouble doesn’t come roosting at home. In the summer of 2006 when Lebanon was getting obliterated by the Israeli air force, Syria didn’t raise even a whisper of opposition toward the aggression, and this year when Syria noticed the Palestinians and the Iraqis are killing themselves most ferociously, Syria remained silent. Mr. Assad is another ruthless Arab leader that wouldn’t hesitate to crush his opposition with an iron fist. He talks about the American using militarism to solve their problems in Iraq and most likely he too would be using ruthless militarism should any body tries to show any hint of dissention in Syria. It is amazing how one sees only what the other is doing at a time when one he is doing the same thing. Syria believes in military solutions as much as the American do, it already proved in its occupation of the Lebanese territories from the mid seventies until recently when they had to get out after the Hariri’s assassination. Syria doesn’t mind meddling in its neighbors affairs politically or militarily yet; it doesn’t sanction a similar action for any other Arab or non Arab country. Mr. Assad isn’t fooling anyone by portraying himself as a gentle, moderate, family man. He needs to start proving his words with his deeds.