Critics question Catholic nun’s ‘alternative story’ on Syria civil war

Critics question Catholic nun’s ‘alternative story’ on Syria civil war | World news | theguardian.com.

I am quoted in this article about the visit of Assad propagandist and genocide denier, Mother Agnes:

…. But her supposed anti-Assad stance has been called into question. “The regime maintains tight controls over all religious institutions in the country: Islamic, Christian, Druze etc,” said Ammar Abdulhamid, a Syrian dissident and democracy activist living in exile in Washington. “Not a single appointment happens without its approval, even in-church appointments … Considering Mother Agnes’ position, she must have had regular contacts with ranking security officers.”

Into the Quagmire!

Through inaction and contradictory policy statements, the Obama Administration has plunged the U.S. into the very sectarian quagmire in the Middle East officials were hoping to avoid.

Amarji Special

If major segments of the Sunni communities in the Middle East have come to develop unfavorable views of American policies, especially those of the Obama Administration, the perceptions of Shia communities (and by extension Alawite communities as well) of Obama’s policies are not that favorable either. Indeed, despite the gains that Iran and Shiite communities across the region have made over the last few years as a result of American policies in Afghanistan, Iraq and elsewhere, and despite the recent “breakthrough” with Iran, anti-Americanism remains rampant in Shia circles, and stoking its fires will continue to a favorite pastime for political and religious leaders of Shia background for years, if not decades to come. Obama’s policies are alienating old friends and allies, but they are not making new ones.

Continue reading “Into the Quagmire!” →

Rebels retake Christian town of Maaloula

Rebels retake Christian town of Maaloula | News , Middle East | THE DAILY STAR.

The battle of Qalamoun is heating up with the Christian towns of Deir Attiyeh and Maaloula coming under regime shelling. Rebels sought refuge there thinking the regime will not pursue them. They were wrong, as wrong as those who believe that the regime will protect confessional minorities: Christian, Druze or Alawites. The regime divides all so it can conquer all. Those who rely on it to be their protector are actually protecting it. Meanwhile, pro-regime media outlets will spin this as an attack by rebels on the towns, while pro-rebel sources will claim they are there to protect the inhabitants. We can only hope that the nuns of Mar Thecla, Mother Pelagia and all, are safe and sound.

Syria’s Christians Flee Kidnappings, Rape, Executions

Syria’s Christians Flee Kidnappings, Rape, Executions.

By now there is no denying that Al-Qaeda affiliated Jihadists are targeting Christians. But, we should never forget that most of the damage done to Christian communities and towns since the beginning of the Revolution was done by pro-Assad militias, a fact that continues to be under-reported if not downright ignored as one of those bloody inconveniences that, if acknowledged, would call for some action. Another important observation in regard to the Christian communities in Syria is the role played by high-ranking figures in the Christian religious establishment. for just like most of their Sunni counterparts, they have proven what so many Syrian activists have known for a long time, that they are mere puppets in the hand of the regime, and instruments for exerting control over and manipulating the sentiments of the country’s Christians.