The Rattling of Sabres Has Begun (Round 2)
Have you ever watched someone you don't like make an ass of themselves and enjoy it?
By ZEINA KARAM
BEIRUT, Lebanon (AP) - Tens of thousands marched Monday in the biggest anti-Syrian protest in Lebanese history amid signals that Syria will soon withdraw its troops from parts of the country. President Bush renewed demands for Syrian forces to leave Lebanon immediately.
Makes you wonder if the Syrians didn't bite off more than they could chew this time!
Hopefully, we may yet see a peaceful revolution in the Middle East in our time!
Addendum for February 28, 2005:
BEIRUT, Lebanon — With shouts of "Syria out!" 25,000 protesters massed outside Parliament in a dramatic display of defiance that forced out Lebanon's pro-Syrian prime minister and Cabinet Monday, two weeks after the assassination of a popular politician touched off increasing unrest.
(snip)
The White House welcomed Karami's resignation, saying it opens the door for new elections that are "free of all foreign interference" from Syria, but called again on Damascus to pull out its soldiers.
Slowly,...slowly,...slowly,...
posted by TheBitterAmerican @ 7:59 PM
1 comments
1 Comments:
I do believe there is a chance for transformation in the Middle East, TrekMed - oh bud 'o' mine. And if not in our lifetime, but that of our children and grandchildren. But peaceful?
Not likely. Regimes and thugs have their own ways with dealing with "peaceful" demonstrations. And Lebanon - with a high number of Hezbollah party officials elected to parliament - must also be considered pretty restrictive and fraught with corruption themselves.
I also posted on the Lebanese reaction to the long time Syrian influence there on 2/19. What is particularly interesting is that, just like terrorists who have been banding together for the common anti-western cause since 1998, the small warring minority factions in Lebanon have also started doing that... under the leadership of the now assassinated Hariri.
Personally, I think all bets are off on whether or not the assassination was Syrian or Hezbollah/Lebanese responsibility. Yik on both, to put it simply.
If Iraq continues to forge ahead with their version of democracy, if Afghanistan continues to improve, and the President stands by his word of support for those who fight for democracy, I suspect we'll see more and more of the oppressed denizens of the Middle East starting to revolt against their regimes.
And while it would be heartwarming to see both the Lebanese and Iranians start a serious march towards change in the wake of Iraq, I hold no hope that such a transition will bear any relationship to "peaceful" - despite the cries for such.
Post a Comment
<< Home