Syria Claims Disruption

of a Rebel Supply Line

Angry Arab* is becoming an anti-revolution propagandist. There are numerous reasons the government of torturers might have its claims disbelieved, among them the false claims about the supply of weapons to the rebels, and previous claims of military successes. In the past, when the government has advanced, it has been unable to restore normal life. It has no future.

*'Look how the reports of defeats of Syrian armed groups are always qualified in the Western press
"“Maybe there is some retreat” by the rebels, he said, “but not full withdrawal.”" This is like Arab regimes in 1967: they did not withdraw, but only retreated.'
Posted by As'ad AbuKhalil at 10:01 AM
[http://angryarab.blogspot.co.uk/…/look-how-reports-of-defea…]

Angry Arab interviews Thomas Pierret on Syria

Angry Arab interviews Thomas Pierret on Syria

Thomas Pierret is spot on.
'The kin-based/sectarian nature of the military is what allows the regime to be not merely "repressive", but to be able to wage a full-fledged war against its own population; in other words, this is a highly illegitimate regime in the eyes of most Syrians.
I cannot think of a more reactionary stance than supporting Asad's fascistic and homicidal regime. This is what really matters if we speak of "conservatism" and "reformism".
Conditions of women can only improve because they cannot be worse than under a regime that has displaced, shelled, killed, injured, raped, arrested, tortured, widowed, and orphaned millions of Syrian women.
The opposition is a very diverse reality that ranges from exiled proponents of non-violence to local civilian committees and councils on the ground, mainstream Islamists like the Muslim Brothers, mainstream armed groups like the "FSA" (whatever that means), and radical Salafi Jihadis. Many Syrians certainly dislike one or several of these components, but at least the "opposition" offers them a broad spectrum of political options. The regime does not.
The question is not whether or not the Syrian opposition should accept Saudi and Qatari support (Turkey does not provide any tangible aid, it merely facilitates), it is whether the Syrian opposition wants to keep on fighting, or surrender (I do not believe in a third way, i.e. peaceful revolution and/or negotiations; it cannot work with that regime). If the opposition wants to keep on fighting, it cannot survive without external logistical support, and none is willing to provide it except for Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
My only concern is the half-heartedness and inefficiency of these countries' military support. For various reasons, these states want to weaken Asad, but they are not eager to see him replaced, hence the limits of their support. The outdated Croatian weapons provided to the rebels over the last months are better than nothing, but these states could do much more. Arms deliveries they have paid for compare very poorly, for instance, with the top-notch weaponry provided to Hezbollah by Iran and Syria.'

SYRIA WITNESS: When Snipers

Leave, Students Return to Classes

"Syrians, young and old, talk about political opinions all the time. We make jokes about anybody or anything in our discussions, even the Free Syrian Army."

Revolution Of The Carnations

On the 25th April, 1974, fascism was overthrown in Portugal, by a radical movement in the armed forces. Those who bemoan the turn to the gun in Syria today should consider.

Syria: the struggle within the revolution

“The majority of the councils have roots in the local population, are elected and represent the popular revolution.

We have many difficulties, but we are making a revolution against a regime that has been in power for 40 years. 

Our revolution is also against old ideas and old ways of doing things. Day by day we are working to transform Syria.”

Far Away In Time

“Syrian revolutionaries owe nobody an apology”
 
Fawwaz Traboulsi interviewed by Mohammed Al Attar
--------------------------------------------------------------
"I realize that class struggle is out of fashion these days and I know that many intellectuals—including the vast majority of those on the Left—neglect the economic factor, to distance themselves from what they call interest-based explanations. I’d go so far as to say that their real achievement has been to prove that everything that has happened is either political or cultural not to mention “geostrategic” and “geopolitical”. This is why imperialism, along with its local rulers and associated elites, has been the ultimate victor."

Jumblatt sees link between Boston and Syria

Wally. Though he is the loveable survivor of Lebanese politics, who has been allied with the winning side in the region at every conceivable opportunity.
I don't think he deserves to be this badly mangled in translation:
“The conflict, which lasted for five centuries and turned into a bloody conflict after the independence of Ireland South in 1920 was treated through the four main core principles: dialogue, respect, trust and patience,” Jumblatt said. “Is it possible to reach a stage in Lebanon where these four principles dominate our political and media discourse instead of the continuous fall in a spiral of mistrust and counter-accusations of treason, defamation and counter slander?”

The Ghost Of Roger Casement

Just as the Syrian revolutionaries look today to the West for weapons to fight their régime, so a hundred years ago Irish revolutionaries sought arms from Kaiser Wilhelm's Germany. The capture of Roger Casement and the scuttling of the Aud which was transporting an estimated 20,000 rifles were some of the reasons for the delay of the Easter Rising planned for April 22nd (Easter Saturday), which was postponed for two days, and failed against a much better armed British force.

Hamas Ties to Qatar Have Cost

"But the support that Hamas enjoyed from Damascus did not turn the movement into a Syrian puppet. Perhaps the break in relations between the two sides today proves that the allegations that the movement was subordinated to Syria and Iran to serve their projects in the region are false. And the same applies in the case of Qatar."

Syria: opposition anger over

US refusal to fund arms

"Russia sends Assad tonnes of weapons every week."

Kurdish women warriors battle in Syria

“This country will not be free until women are free,” said Lokman Abusalam, a 41-year-old fighter, adding that his male comrades have no problem in reporting to a female commander."

Someday Soon

"There are no ground operations by an army unused to street fighting and, it is said, worried about casualties and mass defections."
[http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/…/apr/19/damascus-din-of-war]