The conflict in Syria is being shaped by the strategic rivalry between Saudi Arabia and Iran. A descent into even greater violence could yet be avoided, but this would require both Russia and the United States to shift their stance.
While Chinese petitioners and dissidents hold protest rallies every day in defiance of unaccountable officials, few of them question the necessity of upholding a strong executive authority. Thoughts on revolution and reform by a Chinese student in Cairo.
Syrian diplomats have been expelled and the UK Foreign Secretary William Hague has explained that his priority is ‘to provide for the end of all violence’ amidst waves of public revulsion at the growing atrocities in poor Syria. Isn’t this cynical manipulation and hypocrisy?
Normal 0 21 MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 Support for Assad today is no longer backed by Realpolitik or moral considerations, and it boils down to helping a notorious oppressor. Even if we are facing a choice between devils, he is not the right one to back.
When it comes to their interest in power, politicians’ actions and those of ruling bodies do not differ: without exception they make the moves that increase or sustain their political and economic hegemony.
The bitter divisions in Syria both reflect and intensify the grave, long-term economic challenges that must be met if the country is to have a viable future, says Jihad Yazigi
Russian policy in the Middle East has been largely driven by pragmatic calculations of trade and geopolitical influence, in direct opposition to notions of liberal interventionalism and the ‘Arab Spring’. This week’s shocking massacre by Syrian forces in Houla, however, has fundamentally challenge
عندما يتعلق الأمر بالمصالح و مناطق النفوذ فإن ردود أفعال السياسيين و أنظمة الحكم لا تختلف, فالجميع دون استثناء يتخذ القرارات و الخطوات التي من شأنها أن تزيد أو أن
From the Cold War onwards there is a long trail of misery stemming from military solutions to intricate situations that were clear, simple and wrong. Also in this oS Analysis debate:Mariano Aguirre, on why force would intensify the conflict. Steven Heydemann and Reinoud Leenders disagree, urging t
What should be the international approach to resolving the Syrian crisis, and does diplomacy or military aid to the rebels offer a better chance of progress? Mariano Aguirre responds to the criticisms of Steven Heydemann and Reinoud Leenders.Also in this oS Analysis debate:Read Robert Matthews on
The escalation of regime violence is not a response to the rise of an armed opposition, but the reaction of the Assad regime to a popular uprising that has demonstrated remarkable resilience. Without a credible threat, ‘Weapons vs. Negotiations’ is a false choice. Also in this oS Analysis debate:M
Although inspired by the movements of the Arab spring, the protests in Syria have degenerated into increasingly violent and militarised conflict with sectarian overtones that threaten the rights of Syrians at large. The means employed in the resolution of the crisis will determine the outcome Yaki
