Of designs, mentors and the future

Istanbul / August 11, 2012

I saw change coming in region because life hates stagnation and the rest of the world won’t wait for us to change on our own pace. The only question I had in this regard was whether change will come in the form of an invasion, a revolution, or combination of both. But there is no conspiracy involved here. Imperialism, anti-imperialism –are nothing more than subjective unscientific notions. Leftwing intellectuals who support dictators are no better than rightwing intellectuals who disdain the very people they say they want to empower. None of this makes any sense. Continue reading “Of designs, mentors and the future” →

The Pristina-Damascus Connection

Cited by Seyward Darby, Transitions Online

PRISTINA | A few weeks ago, three Syrian opposition activists arrived in this small Balkan capital for a short visit. The trio stayed in a hotel downtown – “nothing fancy,” according to one of the activists – and met with various local dignitaries, including Kosovo’s foreign minister, advisers to the president, and the mayor of Pristina. Continue reading “The Pristina-Damascus Connection” →

Few Notes on Russia’s Policy Towards Syria & the Middle East

Moscow / May 21, 2012

A successful return by Russia as a major player in the Middle East requires more than the ability to play the role of spoiler of perceived American policies and designs in the region. Russia has to adopt her own clear policies and objectives. Else, Russia’s longer term interests in the region will be hurt, and her ability to spoil others’ policies would eventually backfire.

Forming such objectives and approaches calls for developing a better grasp of the current political and demographic shifts in the region and their basic underlying causes. Continue reading “Few Notes on Russia’s Policy Towards Syria & the Middle East” →

Syrian Opposition Activists Ask Kosovo for Advice

Quoted by the Associated Press

PRISTINA, Kosovo – A Syrian dissident said Thursday his country’s opposition is turning to Kosovo’s former rebels-turned-politicians for advice on how to topple Bashar Assad’s regime in Damascus.

Ammar Abdulhamid, an exiled anti-Assad activist, said that seeing a new country “emerging out of the nightmare and emerging as a state” could be inspiring for Syrian dissidents. Continue reading “Syrian Opposition Activists Ask Kosovo for Advice” →