SYRIA AT A CRUCIAL PERIOD

It is almost certain now that the U S will intervene in the Syrian crisis and it spells doom for the

present regime. The tragic thing about Syria is that a change of regime does not necessarily guarantee peace as there is no idea who will rule the country once the Assad Government goes out or the character of the future formation, like whether it would be secular, religious, autocratic or democratic etc.  It is a decisive period for Syria and the events which would unfold before and after the transition might not be smooth and easy.

The inherent weakness of ‘Arab spring’ is its division of priorities. In Egypt a democratically elected Government was ousted alleging its overbearing religiosity. The same fate is waiting for Syria too if the majority of people there do not believe in democracy. Russia is afraid whether Syria would become a breeding ground of Jihadists when the secular Assad regime is removed. The U S too is uncertain as to what would happen to the country after the military operation. At the same time the U S cannot even think of negotiating with Assad Government without jeopardising the fundamentals of  its  foreign policy.  

 The Syrian upraising started on 15^th March 2011 and survived nearly two and half years making Syria a devastated battle field. The ordinary life has long disappeared from that country. The children are not going to school because schools have become shelters for refugees. No food, medicine or medical care. People are always on the move, running away from one fighting zone to some relatively calm place and when the fighting reaches there run again.  They eat and sleep if any relief camp supplied food and shelter on their running route. The sufferings of the people of Syria are unimaginable and it is said that more than a hundred thousand people were perished in the revolt.  

Although sympathetic about the cause, no countries are openly supporting the agitators though it is no secret that they are provided with funds and arms by certain Arab countries which in turn  prolong the revolt and the agony of its people. On 21^st August nearly 1500 people were killed in a chemical attack allegedly with a nerve agent, Sarin, in the outskirts of capital Damascus. One-third of thedead were small children. And it seems to have touched President Obama deeply, for  he began talking about intervening in the Syrian revolt immediately after it.  

The thinking of the majority people in Syria would be known once the present regime resigns from power. It is not impossible for Syria to opt for a democratic rule and peace to return to the country.

Hope the best for the people of Syria.

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