We can say that the Friends of Syria conference in Istanbul, witnessed some achievements, despite efforts to thwart it, namely those by the Iraqi PM Nuri al-Maleki, who described both the offender and the victim in equal measures, and tried to justify the suppression, not taking into account that he is representing "the new Iraq", which is supposed --at least in theory -- to be operating in total contrast to the dictatorial regime ruling Syria for almost 50 years. But there is not much one can do if the Iraqi PM is simply a mirror for Iranian policy, which counts the loss of Damascus as almost as costly as losing Tehran itself. The achievements of this conference were not just for its recognition of the Syrian National Council as the sole legal representative of the Syrian people. The conference went beyond that to offer Arab support for both the National Council and the Syrian Free Army. The Syrian opposition looked in better shape in Istanbul. It has become clear once again, that the main resistance against the Syrian regime is the Syrian nation itself, which is facing the killing machine which has operated for almost half a century, in an operation aimed at humiliating this nation and depriving it of its basic human rights. This current regime which has authority in Syria is representing just a small minority which lacks any legitimacy, yet it controls everything using different guises -- sometimes in the name of the Palestinian cause, other times in the name of socialism, or in the name of Arab unity, but mostly in the name of struggle and resisting the occupation. But in reality, Syria has done nothing of these during the last 49 years except hiding the regime's hegemony, stealing the country's treasures, carrying out killings and impoverishing the Syrian people as a prelude to enslaving them. The Friends of Syria conference was a step in the right direction -- to return Syria to the Syrian people -- but it is not enough. So the question is, how to compensate for this under-achievement? The answer is to refer to everything by its true name, this means both the Arabs and the international community, as they lack the ability to offer direct and generous aid for the patient and dedicated Syrian people, who deserve to be held up as a beacon for true struggle and resistance. And also by using common sense, that means avoiding statements such as those offered by the Arab League General Secretary, Dr. Nabil al-Arabi, who mentions one thing one minute then contradicts it moments later! The Arabs should be aware that the Syrian revolution -- which is the Arabs' mother revolution -- will achieve nothing except triumph. But what is more important, is for them to be aware that the Syrian revolution's triumph will be the most remarkable development in this region in a very long time. The Syrian revolution's triumph will help regain some regional balance, after it was shaken due to the Iraqi quake which shifted the balance of power in the entire region extending from Indonesia to Mauritania. This change has been clearly exposed by the statements proferred by the Iraqi PM. Al-Maleki, who has been demanding an international response against the Syrian regime for some months citing the "Syrian support to the al-Qaeda terrorists in Iraq", is the same person who today, is calling for a halt in the arming the Syrian resistance groups, for the sake of "protecting the region's stability". Perhaps the Iraqi PM -- whose position has changed dramatically -- has forgotten how the Baath familial regime fell in Iraq in 2003. Would al-Maliki and his armed sectarian party which trained in Iran have achieved power without the US intervention or rather without the US war against Iraq, which was a war in which Iran was a partner in each of its phases? This debate is linked to Syria. Certainly, the current Iraqi Prime Minister, who owes much to Iran and even more to America who returned him to his country, is the last person to talk about external intervention in Syria and warn against it. The sole benefit of his advice could be the revelation of Iranian influence in Iraq, especially its impact on Maliki himself… What Syria needs now is to eliminate the regime at the earliest opportunity for a very simple reason. The regime is over, it is in confrontation with its people and by remaining in power, seriously endangers the future of the country. "Buying time" just for the sake of dismantling Syria is of no use. There is still hope that Syria will be rescued and the country returned to a political life via a transitional phase for a certain period of time, through which a democratic rule will be prepared with state institutions and a modern constitution. What the regime claims regarding the presence of those who want to topple the state in Syria which it is succeeding in preventing, is not true. There are a people who want to overthrow the regime and preserve what remains of the state and institutions which it has systematically destroyed. It seems that the regime's rule by murder, oppression, injustice and tyranny is the shortest route to dismantle Syria and stir up sectarian discourse. The international community fluctuates between bearing its responsibilities to eliminate the killing machine and listening to Nuri al-Maliki's advice, which is no different from Iran's words or the response by the Russian Federation and its fluctuating stances. Syria stands at a crossroads. It is a matter of death and life for this Arab country whose people have suffered deeply from a regime which has done nothing but to enslave its people on the one hand and exploit the Lebanese in particular, and Arabs in general, on the other hand. So where is Syria heading? This is difficult to answer as everything depends on how long the process will take to overthrow the regime. The earlier it falls, the greater the chance for Syrians to restore Syria. The longer the crisis continues, the greater the risk of civil war and the more influence extremists from all sides will have. Is that what Iran desires, as well as Russia? To trade Syria and the Syrians to no end?
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Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2023 ©