WaTimes op-ed: Syria is on the verge of revolution

[funflower]

http://washingtontimes.com/op-ed/20050531-091831-8495r.htm

(snip)

Time for change in Syria

By Farid Ghadry

Revolutions are born when certain political, economic and social ingredients coalesce to generate the energy necessary to remove oppressive dictatorships. In the case of Syria, most of the ingredients are in place.

(snip)

Another sign of an impeding revolution is the financial distress of a nation. For Syria, it started when coalition forces, during the Iraq War, shut off Iraqi oil supplies to Syria. Moreover, Syria's exit from Lebanon will diminish Syrian remittances by up to $4 billion annually. Finally, the Syria Accountability Act is having a negative impact on the Syrian economy.

(snip)

Among the traditional Sunni-based business groups, we are watching, in slow motion, the peeling off of their backing of the Assad regime because of Syria's policies in Iraq that are hurting any prospect for a better economy.
They are starting to exert pressure on the regime by mobilizing their assets overseas, in a peaceful way, to erect a democratic alternative.

(snip)

Given the dynamics of Syrian society today, this Syrian regime will not last another six months. Can the United States be fully prepared for the fall or are we asleep at the helm like we were in 1979 during the Iran Revolution? The United States must, in order to cushion the fall of the Assad regime, take immediate action today to prop up the opposition, to help its image by supporting human rights in Syria and to call for freedom and democracy for the people of Syria. Syrians are ready for a revolution and democracy whether we like it or not.

Farid N. Ghadry is president of the Reform Party of Syria.

[KharmaTrain]

1. Ah...The Syrian Chalabi Is Checking In...

Washington Times? Yep, they really have an objective view of things.

If the Syrians are pissed at anyone, it's this country and the havoc it's made of the region and all the sabre rattling that it's done. The Neo-Cons want so badly to invade and overthrow Bashir Assad they can taste it...and they know he's weak and they're exploiting it.

Syria's been an economic basketcase most of its existance. What this writer doesn't mention is the billions that flow in from the Saudis that prop up this and other regimes in the area.

This is red meat for the wingnuts...make them dream glorious wars and blowing up things...since they're doing so crappy in the occupation business.

[funflower]

2. He definitely wants to be the Syrian Chalabi

He's right w/ all kinds of neocons (member of "The Committee on the Present Danger")and his U.S.-based Syrian Reform Party platform is pro-peace-with-Israel ("We know that when Israel is given real peace, Israel will respond in kind."), anti-Islamist, anti-Arafat, anti-WMD, basically Dick Cheney's dream Syrian government.

[nadinbrzezinski]

3. Really?

Aha.. the only thing that is true here is that societies do move towards this when the misery index is high... but what concrete evidence is this guy giving?

Gee, we may have to say the same about this country... you think I can sell this story to the European press?