Posted on 01/30/2012 4:07:21 PM PST by Blood of Tyrants
Sources within the Syrian opposition said that the Free Syrian Army forces managed to prevent the escape of the first lady of Syria and additional relatives through Damascus airport. ...
The sources claimed that Asma Assad, her children, Bashar Assad's mother and his cousin were all in a convoy on the way to the airport when rebel forces under the command of a former senior officer in the Syrian army blocked their path.
(Excerpt) Read more at times247.com ...
Don't think so. The new boss may well be worse than the old boss, but he most assuredly will be Sunni and no puppet of Iran. A Salafist/Ikhwan extremist very likely but no friend of Iran.
I would imagine Islamist groups would surface, as in Egypt, but that could hardly make Syria any more opposed to peace with Israel than they already are.
It's a long story, but I actually saw the Assads as they were departing the Dorchester Hotel in London. They are used to staying in the best hotels in Europe and now can't even make it to the airport. Ironic.
Syria is a Sunni majority country that’s currently being ruled by a somewhat heretical even by Shi’a standards sect of Islam.
The Syrian Muslim Brotherhood hates Iran, and will probably be busy massacring the Alawis (and Christians).
And you can bet your last nickel that Assad has looted the treasury for at least several hundred million dollars. If he and his family escape, they will probably head for Iran and live like kings and queens.
There are 1 million CHRISTIANS in Syria.
I DARE anyone to state that the Christians will be better off under whoever takes over, versus Assad.
...and believe me, I’m no buddy of Syria, it’s just that I research the alternatives (something that, obviously, did not happen regarding Egypt).
There are no good guys in Syria.
they will be an Ikwann puppet, aligned with Egypt and Libya and Ethopia and Somalia
Others are reporting that the rebels are being given arms and intel by Saudi Arabia who is no friend of extremists.
Maybe Saudi Arabia will be next??
Just like in Egypt... those Christians are toast.
“Just like in Egypt... those Christians are toast.”
How true it is. Even in Iraq, say what we will about Saddam, the FACT was that a LOT of Christians lived there without much hassle. Once we went in, those days ended. Half of them are gone (who the heck knows where), and the other half live in fear. No different in Syria - I’m as big an Israel supporter as they come, but I still a prefer a Muslim country that respects Christian rights to one that does not...because if they respect Christians (to any extent), they just might be able to tolerate Jews in the neighborhood.
I just don’t see who this mess can end up anything but UGLY.
Isaiah 17
Psalm 83
The bible provides the best explanation for the events we witness today in the middle east. The Arab Spring has one logical conclusion.... they will fail as all mobs do and eventually attack Israel. This results in the destruction of Damascus and the revival of Israel.
We live in interesting times my FRiend.
It seems that a typical Arab strongman, one who terrorizes his peopole and will tolerate no opposition or dissent, tends to (have) respect(ed) the rights of Christians within his country, perhaps because he considers the Ikhwan the greatest threat to his rule and views empowered religious minorities as a counterweight to the Salafists.
Truth! It is quite amazing that after a couple of decades the lesson of not removing a snake until a viable alternative is found has not been drilled into the minds of those in positions of power. Just like you I do not think Syria is heaven on earth, and Assad is definitely not a nice guy, but guaranteed the folks trying to get him out are not nicer people. Just like in Libya, in Egypt, etc.
It is really interesting how this lesson is ignored by those in positions of power. Look at Somalia. The Somali Government headed by Farah Aidid (who was a socialist sot) fell and Siad Barre came into power (who was one of the strongest warlords and a worse guy than Aidid). There was Operation Restore Hope that, among other objectives (such as ensuring the safe delivery of food) was also (justifiably) focused at hitting at Siad Barre. Siad Barre's time eventually passes and in the mid-90s the Islamic Courts take over. Ethiopia (justifiably) attacks in 2006-2007 due to the actions of the Islamic Courts, and from that Hizbul Islam and Al-Shabaab form (Hizbul Islam joins Al Shabaab later). The Islamic Courts were horrible people with a very radicalized view of Islam and Shariab, but Al Shabaab is far worse and a true and proper terrorism outfit. Now Kenya is (also justifiably) attacking Al Shabaab and have successfully established a 100km buffer from within Somalia to the Kenya border, and had consistent victories. It remains to be seen what Al Shabaab evolves into.
A similar story can be seen in Afghanistan - the Demographic Republic of Aghanistan government (which was as 'democratic' as North Korea is a 'democracy' ...it was a Soviet-backed government) falls during the Afghan war due to the Mujahadeen, with the various groups merging into the Islamic Unity of Afghanistan Mujahadeen, who start getting radicalized due to Saudi (mostly money) and Pakistani (a mix of support from the ISI agency as well as from the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam political party in Pakistan) influence, and transform into the Taliban. They obviously get (justifiably) beaten about by the US/allies after 9/11, and already the splinter groups (such as the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, or Pakistani Taliban, and the Islamic Emirate of Waziristan) have been giving Pakistan a lot of grief (which is ironic considering Pakistan had a lot to do with their formation ....just goes to show you cannot train a viper).
I am not saying bad governments and groups should be left alone. They should definitely be smote hard. However, it is very important that when it comes to REPLACING governments and the like that some serious thought it given towards clarifying who (or what) exactly is going to be the replacement.
A Cottonmouth in the house is bad news and needs to be taken out, but replacing it with a Mojave Rattlesnake is not prudent. Neither is replacing the rattlesnake with a Puff Adder, or replacing the Puff Adder with a Black Mamba. That is not solving a problem.
“...perhaps because he considers the Ikhwan the greatest threat to his rule and views empowered religious minorities as a counterweight to the Salafists.”
For sure...but does it matter that much? Or to put it another way, genocide and ethnic cleansing generally had not taken place against Christian minorities in those countries. Now it’s practically state policy (or about to be). Should we really enable those policies?
What makes you think it won’t turn out to be an Iranian puppet?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.