The Syrian Question
By Caleb
Inspired by research into Russian Literature, worldview, and perspectives, along with aide work and travel to this region.
Inspired by research into Russian Literature, worldview, and perspectives, along with aide work and travel to this region.
"I am Syrian, I was made in Syria, I have to live in Syria and die in Syria."-Bashar al-Assad, current president of Syria. Russia is right to support Assad, because it will help bring stability to Syria and slow the refugee crisis. During the Arab Spring, when several countries witnessed revolutions for democratic reform, Syria was another site of revolt. But, instead of watching the Syrian government fall into the same chaos of other Arab nations, like Libya, Russia stepped in and is helping support the government. If Russia succeeds in helping Assad end the revolution, then a stable Syria will result, ending its civil war.
Unless the Assad regime stays in power, Syria will end up in a continued civil war between rebel factions. An example of an Arab country whose ruler who was overthrown, is Libya. There was a Western backed revolution in Libya which led to the assassination of the country’s leader, el-Qaddafi. The revolution was aimed at creating a free democratic state, but the rebel groups, who over threw Qaddafi, have not stopped fighting each other over which group should rule ever since. The civil war has never ended in Libya because of these rebels fighting each other. In Syria however, Assad still has a significant amount of control (because of heavy Russian backing). If Assad stays in power, a continued civil war between different rebel groups (like in Libya) will be avoided.
But, some say that Assad cannot be allowed to rule because he has violated human rights laws and committed war crimes. Though these accusations against Assad are probably true, if he does not stay in power, then a continued civil war between rebel factions will ensue. “Infighting within rebel ranks has severely weakened and divided the Syrian opposition over the past month.” (Aljazeera). So though Assad is known as a brutal ruler, his remaining in power is necessary for peace in Syria. There is no other option if Syria is to continue as a nation.
An example of a nation that succeed in avoiding a civil war because of sustained government rule is Jordan. Jordan’s King, Abdulla II, responded to protests (during the Arab Spring revolts in which several nations witnessed the overthrow of governments) by allowing for some governmental changes. Nevertheless, he did not give up his position as king, even though he did give a little democratic reform in things like relinquishing his power to select the prime minister (BBC). The monarch's’ ability to keep his throne kept Jordan out of a civil war. Opposing arguments could say that this is unrelated to the Syrian situation because Assad did not grant reforms to protesters. But, actually he did. He was going to grant more political freedoms for Syria when protests began, like allowing the formation of political parties(Aljazeera). But, civil war was un-avoided in Syria. Jordan is still an example of a country in lasting unity because it kept its monarchical King. The same can be true for Syria, if Assad beats the insurgents.
An end to the civil war will also help slow and maybe stop the refugee crisis coming from Syria. The refugee crisis has displaced about 4.8 million Syrians. Jordan has over 628,000 people who fled Syria (Wikipedia). I saw for myself the refugees who wait for the war to be over, so that they may return home and see their families. An Assad won war would accomplish a lasting peace in Syria, in which case the refugees could return home. Others say that Russia and Assad should allow the rebels to take over and let the war end that way. But, as discussed earlier, a rebel won war would only continue it between the rebels themselves. As was the case in Libya. This would not stop the refugee crisis.
Russia is right to support Assad because the Syrian Civil War will be continued unless Assad wins. Jordan was able to keep out of a civil war because it kept its king in power, the same could be true for Syria. If the war is continued the refugee crisis will also continue. Unless the world wants to see another situation like Libya, they must allow Russia to help Assad win against the rebels. Assad’s control is necessary to end this brutal war in Syria.
Sources:
Tahhan, Zena. “Rebels seek ‘direct negotiations with Assad government.” Aljazeera. 23 Feb, 2017. Web. 23 Feb, 2017.
Wikipedia contributors. "Refugees of the Syrian Civil War." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 22 Feb. 2017. Web. 23 Feb. 2017.
Wikipedia contributors. "Libya." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 21 Feb. 2017. Web. 23 Feb. 2017.
Gavlak, Dale. “Jordan’s King Abdullah vows to allow elected cabinets.” BBC News. 12 June, 2011. Web. 23 Feb, 2017.
“Syrians protest despite Assad concessions.” Aljazeera. 17 April, 2011. Web. Feb 27, 2017.
Unless the Assad regime stays in power, Syria will end up in a continued civil war between rebel factions. An example of an Arab country whose ruler who was overthrown, is Libya. There was a Western backed revolution in Libya which led to the assassination of the country’s leader, el-Qaddafi. The revolution was aimed at creating a free democratic state, but the rebel groups, who over threw Qaddafi, have not stopped fighting each other over which group should rule ever since. The civil war has never ended in Libya because of these rebels fighting each other. In Syria however, Assad still has a significant amount of control (because of heavy Russian backing). If Assad stays in power, a continued civil war between different rebel groups (like in Libya) will be avoided.
But, some say that Assad cannot be allowed to rule because he has violated human rights laws and committed war crimes. Though these accusations against Assad are probably true, if he does not stay in power, then a continued civil war between rebel factions will ensue. “Infighting within rebel ranks has severely weakened and divided the Syrian opposition over the past month.” (Aljazeera). So though Assad is known as a brutal ruler, his remaining in power is necessary for peace in Syria. There is no other option if Syria is to continue as a nation.
An example of a nation that succeed in avoiding a civil war because of sustained government rule is Jordan. Jordan’s King, Abdulla II, responded to protests (during the Arab Spring revolts in which several nations witnessed the overthrow of governments) by allowing for some governmental changes. Nevertheless, he did not give up his position as king, even though he did give a little democratic reform in things like relinquishing his power to select the prime minister (BBC). The monarch's’ ability to keep his throne kept Jordan out of a civil war. Opposing arguments could say that this is unrelated to the Syrian situation because Assad did not grant reforms to protesters. But, actually he did. He was going to grant more political freedoms for Syria when protests began, like allowing the formation of political parties(Aljazeera). But, civil war was un-avoided in Syria. Jordan is still an example of a country in lasting unity because it kept its monarchical King. The same can be true for Syria, if Assad beats the insurgents.
An end to the civil war will also help slow and maybe stop the refugee crisis coming from Syria. The refugee crisis has displaced about 4.8 million Syrians. Jordan has over 628,000 people who fled Syria (Wikipedia). I saw for myself the refugees who wait for the war to be over, so that they may return home and see their families. An Assad won war would accomplish a lasting peace in Syria, in which case the refugees could return home. Others say that Russia and Assad should allow the rebels to take over and let the war end that way. But, as discussed earlier, a rebel won war would only continue it between the rebels themselves. As was the case in Libya. This would not stop the refugee crisis.
Russia is right to support Assad because the Syrian Civil War will be continued unless Assad wins. Jordan was able to keep out of a civil war because it kept its king in power, the same could be true for Syria. If the war is continued the refugee crisis will also continue. Unless the world wants to see another situation like Libya, they must allow Russia to help Assad win against the rebels. Assad’s control is necessary to end this brutal war in Syria.
Sources:
Tahhan, Zena. “Rebels seek ‘direct negotiations with Assad government.” Aljazeera. 23 Feb, 2017. Web. 23 Feb, 2017.
Wikipedia contributors. "Refugees of the Syrian Civil War." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 22 Feb. 2017. Web. 23 Feb. 2017.
Wikipedia contributors. "Libya." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 21 Feb. 2017. Web. 23 Feb. 2017.
Gavlak, Dale. “Jordan’s King Abdullah vows to allow elected cabinets.” BBC News. 12 June, 2011. Web. 23 Feb, 2017.
“Syrians protest despite Assad concessions.” Aljazeera. 17 April, 2011. Web. Feb 27, 2017.