Posted on 12/10/2024 11:10:53 AM PST by EnderWiggin1970
In the fall of 2012, when Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the military power now in charge of Syria, was a mere minor terrorist organization, a band of their fighters in Aleppo took me prisoner. Back then they were known as Jabhat al-Nusra. I remained in the group’s custody for two years—often in solitary confinement cells, but not always. During this time, it often happened that news of some stupendous victory would make its way, via the fighters’ two-way radios, into our prisons. It was a surreal experience then to listen as a government checkpoint got blown into the sky, for instance, or a truckload of government troops fell into my captors’ hands.
What’s going on now, however, is surreal beyond anything I saw or heard when I was in Syria. I’ve spent the past few days watching my former captors’ wildest dreams come true. Actually, I suspect that all Syrians, in every corner of the world, are watching these events unfold in a mood of unremitting shock and awe.
Nevertheless, certain sights have become familiar. Those who’ve been following the rebels’ advance have gotten used to seeing them standing in the midst of the government armories and air force bases surrounded by expensive-looking military kit.1 “By the grace and favor of God, the Almighty,” the men scream into the camera as they pump their Kalashnikovs into the sky, “we are in complete control here.”
(Excerpt) Read more at persuasion.community ...
I don’t see much reason for optimism for Syria’s future in this essay.
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I’ve seen comments in conservative media claiming that it’s a victory for Democracy because the Russians lost an ally and it was caused by Trump’s election.
I’m more concerned about America’s future, and what happens to this country when President Trump is out of office. I’m hoping I won’t be around by then, because the left will never stop trying to destroy our country.
Who knows what is going to happen - it’s the Middle East.
There are two major competing factions. One are the factions who are Turkish proxies and there are factions who are Saudi/Gulf State proxies.
The best outcome is probably a moderate Saudi MBS loyal faction takes control.
The worst is probably the Turkish Muslim Brotherhood faction takes control.
No option is good.
I suspect a Turkish faction will take over.
Then WE MUST DESTROY THE LEFT!
BEFORE THEY DESTROY US!
Good thing we backed and armed Syrian rebels thar are now forming their shiny new dictatorship in Damascus? Isn’t getting involved in wars that don’t involve us fun? Like when Hillary Clinton arranged for Qaddafi to be murdered (and joked about how badass she was for ordering it) and it led to Libyan ports being used to send millions of “refugees” to flood Europe! We sure get results when we start playing world-god!
Life in the middle east. There aren’t a lot of good guys, and they never wind up in charge. The Shah gets overthrown by the Ayatollah. Bad gets replaced by worse.
Crusaders for freedom and democracy in the ME really need to brush up on the Bell Curve.
There is not much hope with the leading Islamist group in the coalition of fighters, and what will be telling is which Middle East leaders show themselves to be the most friendly towards them.
I imagine Egypt and Jordan will be less favorable toward them than Erdogan of Turkey.
“I’ve seen comments in conservative media claiming that it’s a victory for Democracy because the Russians lost an ally and it was caused by Trump’s election.”
Maybe Neocon rags, but people who UNDERSTAND the region know that the big winner is Turkey, and that United States will, very soon, be expelled (not that I have a problem with that as they should have left during Trump), or we’ll be directly fighting Turkey in Kurdistan. Another loser is Israel, as they have a HUGE MESS on their border and will likely have to go deep into what was Syria to keep their people safe.
The terrorists now running Syria are the worst of the worst, and only NEOCONS see this as a victory, as Syria was Russia’s ally.
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