More hot water for Bashar
Israel has laid the blame on Syria for last night's nighclub bombing that killed four. It seems the Damascus branch of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad took "credit" for the murder. Interesting. It allows Sharon a chance to lay of Abbas for a little while, while increasing the pressure on Syria. This is a blast the Syrian president Bashar al-Asad does not need. He is already feeling a lot of heat for the murder of Rakif Hariri, and now it seems his country has replaced Iran as the leading obstructionist in the peace process. It may not be true- but it seems that way, and that is enough.
Syria can claim that they don't control Islamic Jihad, that they can't know everyone in the country, that there are terror cells in Germany, et al. Not a good defense. Germany is not a police state (I know- that sounds wierd, but it is true). Islamic Jihad has offices in Syria on the good graces of the security services. Did Bashar plan the attack? Certianly not. But if it was planned from his soil, it will only increase the pressure on him.
Weird situation with Syria. Young Bashar is such a cipher- probably not many people would be able to identify him. And he has not been flagrantly evil. For the West to mount a campaign against him, it has to become personal. Like with Saddam. It is impossible to say "We are going up against Syria"- that doesn't play well in Peoria (Peoria here meaning "Egypt" or any other country in the Arab/Muslim world). Bashar has so few accomplishments, good or ill. He seems more confused and dull than anything. It will be hard to personalize the issue in the way that makers of both policy and bumper-stickers love.
By the way, Greg has reccomended a Gombrowicz link. I couldn't possibly support this more. This is one of the great novelists of the 20th century, buried in obscurity. One of these days, when I have time for a serious reading project, we'll do a long overview of his work. Becuase he is brilliant, and if you want to get into an author that few have heard of- increase your street cred (a lame street, sure, but whatever)- look up the Polish genius Witold Gombrowicz.
Syria can claim that they don't control Islamic Jihad, that they can't know everyone in the country, that there are terror cells in Germany, et al. Not a good defense. Germany is not a police state (I know- that sounds wierd, but it is true). Islamic Jihad has offices in Syria on the good graces of the security services. Did Bashar plan the attack? Certianly not. But if it was planned from his soil, it will only increase the pressure on him.
Weird situation with Syria. Young Bashar is such a cipher- probably not many people would be able to identify him. And he has not been flagrantly evil. For the West to mount a campaign against him, it has to become personal. Like with Saddam. It is impossible to say "We are going up against Syria"- that doesn't play well in Peoria (Peoria here meaning "Egypt" or any other country in the Arab/Muslim world). Bashar has so few accomplishments, good or ill. He seems more confused and dull than anything. It will be hard to personalize the issue in the way that makers of both policy and bumper-stickers love.
By the way, Greg has reccomended a Gombrowicz link. I couldn't possibly support this more. This is one of the great novelists of the 20th century, buried in obscurity. One of these days, when I have time for a serious reading project, we'll do a long overview of his work. Becuase he is brilliant, and if you want to get into an author that few have heard of- increase your street cred (a lame street, sure, but whatever)- look up the Polish genius Witold Gombrowicz.
posted by cairobrian | 3:01 PM
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