Category: Syrian Politics

The Backlash!

While things might appear good for the Assad regime as result of the recent congressional visits to Syria, the positions of the both Bush and Cheney in this regard, indicate that a backlash is to be expected. The recent relaxation that the Bush administration has shown vis-à-vis contact with Syrian officials, a development evident in the Baghdad conference, the meeting with the Syrian Ambassador in the US in the Sate Department, and the ensuing talks in Damascus between US and Syrian officials with regard to the situation of Iraqi refugees, will now cease and desist. The Bush Administration is likely to resume its isolationist policies with regard to the Assads, and will probably pursue them with a greater vim. So, do let the Syrian Ambassador pursue his congressional activities, he is only helping the Opposition’s cause as well. Continue reading “The Backlash!” →

And So It Begins!

The dabbling in the electoral process by the usual suspects begins. The Governor of Homs in Central Syria has just issued what he describes as a “loan” or a “refundable fee” that each independent candidate that seeks to run in the upcoming elections has to pay. The purpose of this bizarre procedure, Governor Ghazal explains, is to prevent irregularities. If the candidate can prove at the end of the campaign that he had run a clean campaign then the fee will allegedly be refunded. Continue reading “And So It Begins!” →

5733 Candidates to the People’s Assembly!

I guess this means that we have a free, fair and open democratic system.  Syrians of the world (because only the world will have you now) rejoice!

And if that’s not sufficient reason for jubilation, let’s celebrate the President’s recent assertion to the Saudi newspaper al-Jazeerah that only Syrian courts can try Syrian suspects in connection to the Hariri assassination. For this must mean that we have a just and impartial judiciary system.  Thousands of people in Old Damascus must feel quite safe knowing that. They have no reason to worry about anything. For when leonine justice prevails, that’s about the only thing you’ll have to worry about.