FabSwingers.com
 

FabSwingers.com > Forums > Politics > Taliban-style regime in Syria? Careful what your wish for...

Taliban-style regime in Syria? Careful what your wish for...

Jump to: Newest in thread

 

By *resesse_Meliorem OP   Couple 2 days ago

Border of London

The world (rightly?) celebrated the fall of the brutal and murderous Assad regime. However, as with Gaddafi, Sadam Hussein and others, perhaps the cure might be worse than the disease.

In Afghanistan a few years ago, the incoming Taliban attempted to placate the West and many Afghans by declaring that they would respect women's rights. This has now been shown up as Taqiyya (permitted lying where the end justifies the means, e.g. for achieving victory in war, or telling one's wife that her food tastes great). It appears that some of the celebrations over the "moderate" nature of the incoming Syrian leadership might have be overoptimistic.

BBC News - New Syrian government's school curriculum changes spark concern

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1ln12056ppo

In the educational curriculum, at least, women are slowly being marginalised, Jews and Christians are now described as having "strayed from the true path", nationalism is being replaced with religious zeal. While it's understandable that the glorious Assad regime is no longer venerated, these other innovations are bothering some.

Secularism is, essentially, being eroded. Is this the beginning of a marvellous ethical religious renaissance in Syria, or is it going to become more like Afghanistan (a utopia, according to some...)? More generally, is it possible to have a functional and positive society governed by religion?

Perhaps religion should be limited to a set of guiding principles?

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

 

By *ools and the brainCouple 2 days ago

couple, us we him her.

I think that we should let Muslim and Arab people sort out Muslim and Arab issues rather than the west trying to force a western ideology in a country that doesn't want it.

Perhaps terrorism will diminish if we let them sort it out themselves.

However difficult to stand by and do nothing when human rights are being abused.

Seems the leaders only intervene when it's financially beneficial or for political points.

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

 

By *oxychick35Couple 2 days ago

thornaby

Keep our nose out of the full Middle East and leave them be keep our money out aswell over seas aid out the lot it’s a total fuck up always as always will be

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

 

By *otMe66Man 2 days ago

Terra Firma

Syria’s numerous Islamic factions make power struggles inevitable. External interference risks strengthening potentially hostile factions by providing them with propaganda material highlighting western interference.

The Syrian people need to find the courage to stand up, and dictate the leadership they want for their country. If they allow guns and religion to dictate the next phase of leadership, they will have not moved forward at all, unless that is what they want?

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

 

By *idnight RamblerMan 2 days ago

Pershore

The West always makes the mistake of assuming other countries want democracy. When I lived in other countries I was surprised how little regard, or desire for, there was for democracy. People seemed completely ambivalent about the concept.

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

 

By *otMe66Man 2 days ago

Terra Firma


"The West always makes the mistake of assuming other countries want democracy. When I lived in other countries I was surprised how little regard, or desire for, there was for democracy. People seemed completely ambivalent about the concept."

Agreed, not having social safety nets and services that you rely on the government to provide, weakens the importance of government structure and strengthens self reliance.

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

 

By *resesse_Meliorem OP   Couple 2 days ago

Border of London


"I think that we should let Muslim and Arab people sort out Muslim and Arab issues..."

Should anyone get involved where non-Arab & Muslims (e.g. Kurds, Christians, Yazidis and Druze) are being oppressed, ensl@ved and killed?

It's a difficult one. Fuck 'em all, or become a white saviour?

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

 

By *oxychick35Couple 2 days ago

thornaby


"I think that we should let Muslim and Arab people sort out Muslim and Arab issues...

Should anyone get involved where non-Arab & Muslims (e.g. Kurds, Christians, Yazidis and Druze) are being oppressed, ensl@ved and killed?

It's a difficult one. Fuck 'em all, or become a white saviour?"

it is difficult but we have tried it failed so walk away stop sending aid which ends up in the hands of the wrong ppl

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

 

By *igNick1381Man 2 days ago

BRIDGEND

We shouldn't expect to impose our cultural beliefs on those countries and should leave them govern themselves

In the same way people who visit / want to settle here should understand they cannot expect to impose their cultural beliefs on us

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

 

By *0shadesOfFilthMan 2 days ago

nearby

Hopefully the UK taxpayer gets good value for the £50million David Lammy has gifted to the new ISIS regime.

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

 

By *habMan 2 days ago

Boomtown

Good old US/UK, another secular Muslim state is overthrown just like Libya or Iraq....

Now, where are those oil pipes lines again ????

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

 

By *ools and the brainCouple 2 days ago

couple, us we him her.


"Hopefully the UK taxpayer gets good value for the £50million David Lammy has gifted to the new ISIS regime. "
has David Lammy gifted ISIS £50million then? You've never mentioned this before

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

 

By *eacresteMan 2 days ago

hart village - Hartlepool


"The world (rightly?) celebrated the fall of the brutal and murderous Assad regime. However, as with Gaddafi, Sadam Hussein and others, perhaps the cure might be worse than the disease.

In Afghanistan a few years ago, the incoming Taliban attempted to placate the West and many Afghans by declaring that they would respect women's rights. This has now been shown up as Taqiyya (permitted lying where the end justifies the means, e.g. for achieving victory in war, or telling one's wife that her food tastes great). It appears that some of the celebrations over the "moderate" nature of the incoming Syrian leadership might have be overoptimistic.

BBC News - New Syrian government's school curriculum changes spark concern

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1ln12056ppo

In the educational curriculum, at least, women are slowly being marginalised, Jews and Christians are now described as having "strayed from the true path", nationalism is being replaced with religious zeal. While it's understandable that the glorious Assad regime is no longer venerated, these other innovations are bothering some.

Secularism is, essentially, being eroded. Is this the beginning of a marvellous ethical religious renaissance in Syria, or is it going to become more like Afghanistan (a utopia, according to some...)? More generally, is it possible to have a functional and positive society governed by religion?

Perhaps religion should be limited to a set of guiding principles?"

Fully agree - however, does this only apply to Syria, or is it universal ?

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

 

By *eacresteMan 2 days ago

hart village - Hartlepool


"Good old US/UK, another secular Muslim state is overthrown just like Libya or Iraq....

Now, where are those oil pipes lines again ????"

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

 

By *ouple in LancashireCouple 2 days ago

in Lancashire


"I think that we should let Muslim and Arab people sort out Muslim and Arab issues...

Should anyone get involved where non-Arab & Muslims (e.g. Kurds, Christians, Yazidis and Druze) are being oppressed, ensl@ved and killed?

It's a difficult one. Fuck 'em all, or become a white saviour?it is difficult but we have tried it failed so walk away stop sending aid which ends up in the hands of the wrong ppl "

Agree it's difficult, if it's like Rwanda (where there is no oil funny enough) then I think it's a moral obligation upon other nations to intervene but as with anything geopolitics tends to get in the way of intervention..

As we've seen in the fuck ups of Libya, Afghanistan and Iraq it's more about the bigger players wanting to expand or to fuck up the other side by proxies..

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

 

By *inkywife1981Couple 2 days ago

A town near you

If there was no natural resources in the middle east would the collective west still be so eager to spread democracy.

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

 

By *otMe66Man 2 days ago

Terra Firma


"Good old US/UK, another secular Muslim state is overthrown just like Libya or Iraq....

Now, where are those oil pipes lines again ????"

I'm confused by “secular Muslim state", are you ignoring the oppression that led to the internal Syrian uprisings and protests? Also, Libya under Gaddafi and Iraq under Hussein were secular and repressive regimes such as Syria, but other than that what is the connection?

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

 

By *habMan 2 days ago

Boomtown


"Good old US/UK, another secular Muslim state is overthrown just like Libya or Iraq....

Now, where are those oil pipes lines again ????

I'm confused by “secular Muslim state", are you ignoring the oppression that led to the internal Syrian uprisings and protests? Also, Libya under Gaddafi and Iraq under Hussein were secular and repressive regimes such as Syria, but other than that what is the connection?

"

And they have been replaced with...

Civil Wars, Fundamentalists and let's not forget the place of women.

Do not forget the photo of Thatcher with her friend Pinochet and he was nice to everyone !!!

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

 

By *eacresteMan 2 days ago

hart village - Hartlepool


"Good old US/UK, another secular Muslim state is overthrown just like Libya or Iraq....

Now, where are those oil pipes lines again ????

I'm confused by “secular Muslim state", are you ignoring the oppression that led to the internal Syrian uprisings and protests? Also, Libya under Gaddafi and Iraq under Hussein were secular and repressive regimes such as Syria, but other than that what is the connection?

And they have been replaced with...

Civil Wars, Fundamentalists and let's not forget the place of women.

Do not forget the photo of Thatcher with her friend Pinochet and he was nice to everyone !!!"

But - he was one of our brutal terrorists, not one of theirs

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

 

By *idnightMischiefMan 2 days ago

London


"We shouldn't expect to impose our cultural beliefs on those countries and should leave them govern themselves

In the same way people who visit / want to settle here should understand they cannot expect to impose their cultural beliefs on us"

I find the idea that all cultures are morally equal quite bizarre.

These people rarely govern themselves; it's usually a handful of dictators imposing themselves onto a population, with no rights to elections or even a voice in how they are governed.

I'd say that, with certain issues, it isn't remotely subjective and that our values are often superior to theirs - for example, women's rights, gay rights, banning of FGM, rights to free expression etc.

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

 

By *ortyairCouple 2 days ago

Wallasey


"Good old US/UK, another secular Muslim state is overthrown just like Libya or Iraq....

Now, where are those oil pipes lines again ????

I'm confused by “secular Muslim state", are you ignoring the oppression that led to the internal Syrian uprisings and protests? Also, Libya under Gaddafi and Iraq under Hussein were secular and repressive regimes such as Syria, but other than that what is the connection?

And they have been replaced with...

Civil Wars, Fundamentalists and let's not forget the place of women.

Do not forget the photo of Thatcher with her friend Pinochet and he was nice to everyone !!!

But - he was one of our brutal terrorists, not one of theirs"

New profile? Mrs x

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

 

By *ortyairCouple 2 days ago

Wallasey

The Druze said they were worried that Syria may become a Theocracy and if it did they'd rather by ruled by Israel.

Mrs x

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

 

By *eacresteMan 2 days ago

hart village - Hartlepool


"Good old US/UK, another secular Muslim state is overthrown just like Libya or Iraq....

Now, where are those oil pipes lines again ????

I'm confused by “secular Muslim state", are you ignoring the oppression that led to the internal Syrian uprisings and protests? Also, Libya under Gaddafi and Iraq under Hussein were secular and repressive regimes such as Syria, but other than that what is the connection?

And they have been replaced with...

Civil Wars, Fundamentalists and let's not forget the place of women.

Do not forget the photo of Thatcher with her friend Pinochet and he was nice to everyone !!!

But - he was one of our brutal terrorists, not one of theirsNew profile? Mrs x"

Why are you bullying me?

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

 

By *ortyairCouple 2 days ago

Wallasey


"Good old US/UK, another secular Muslim state is overthrown just like Libya or Iraq....

Now, where are those oil pipes lines again ????

I'm confused by “secular Muslim state", are you ignoring the oppression that led to the internal Syrian uprisings and protests? Also, Libya under Gaddafi and Iraq under Hussein were secular and repressive regimes such as Syria, but other than that what is the connection?

And they have been replaced with...

Civil Wars, Fundamentalists and let's not forget the place of women.

Do not forget the photo of Thatcher with her friend Pinochet and he was nice to everyone !!!

But - he was one of our brutal terrorists, not one of theirsNew profile? Mrs x

Why are you bullying me?"

I asked a question, that's all Mrs x

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

 

By *eacresteMan 1 day ago

hart village - Hartlepool


"The world (rightly?) celebrated the fall of the brutal and murderous Assad regime. However, as with Gaddafi, Sadam Hussein and others, perhaps the cure might be worse than the disease.

In Afghanistan a few years ago, the incoming Taliban attempted to placate the West and many Afghans by declaring that they would respect women's rights. This has now been shown up as Taqiyya (permitted lying where the end justifies the means, e.g. for achieving victory in war, or telling one's wife that her food tastes great). It appears that some of the celebrations over the "moderate" nature of the incoming Syrian leadership might have be overoptimistic.

BBC News - New Syrian government's school curriculum changes spark concern

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1ln12056ppo

In the educational curriculum, at least, women are slowly being marginalised, Jews and Christians are now described as having "strayed from the true path", nationalism is being replaced with religious zeal. While it's understandable that the glorious Assad regime is no longer venerated, these other innovations are bothering some.

Secularism is, essentially, being eroded. Is this the beginning of a marvellous ethical religious renaissance in Syria, or is it going to become more like Afghanistan (a utopia, according to some...)? More generally, is it possible to have a functional and positive society governed by religion?

Perhaps religion should be limited to a set of guiding principles?"

I think this should apply universally but political influence is always there

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

 

By *enSiskoMan 1 day ago

Cestus 3


"The world (rightly?) celebrated the fall of the brutal and murderous Assad regime. However, as with Gaddafi, Sadam Hussein and others, perhaps the cure might be worse than the disease.

In Afghanistan a few years ago, the incoming Taliban attempted to placate the West and many Afghans by declaring that they would respect women's rights. This has now been shown up as Taqiyya (permitted lying where the end justifies the means, e.g. for achieving victory in war, or telling one's wife that her food tastes great). It appears that some of the celebrations over the "moderate" nature of the incoming Syrian leadership might have be overoptimistic.

BBC News - New Syrian government's school curriculum changes spark concern

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1ln12056ppo

In the educational curriculum, at least, women are slowly being marginalised, Jews and Christians are now described as having "strayed from the true path", nationalism is being replaced with religious zeal. While it's understandable that the glorious Assad regime is no longer venerated, these other innovations are bothering some.

Secularism is, essentially, being eroded. Is this the beginning of a marvellous ethical religious renaissance in Syria, or is it going to become more like Afghanistan (a utopia, according to some...)? More generally, is it possible to have a functional and positive society governed by religion?

Perhaps religion should be limited to a set of guiding principles?

I think this should apply universally but political influence is always there"

Personally I think the west should keep out of what doesn't concern them, but we have all got to keep the lights on, and pay through our utilities bills the cost for that including massive profits for all concerned.

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

 

By *idnightMischiefMan 1 day ago

London


"Personally I think the west should keep out of what doesn't concern them, but we have all got to keep the lights on, and pay through our utilities bills the cost for that including massive profits for all concerned."

It absolutely concerns us - when a region is destabilised it creates a refugee problem.

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

 

By *ortyairCouple 1 day ago

Wallasey


"Personally I think the west should keep out of what doesn't concern them, but we have all got to keep the lights on, and pay through our utilities bills the cost for that including massive profits for all concerned.

It absolutely concerns us - when a region is destabilised it creates a refugee problem."

Please stop talking sense, it's confusing for some on here, Mrs x

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

 

By *idnightMischiefMan 1 day ago

London


"Please stop talking sense, it's confusing for some on here, Mrs x"

If I was that sensible I'd be using my brain where I could actually make a difference.

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

 

By *leasure domMan 24 hours ago

Edinburgh

Syria today is like Iran after the Shah - a popular revolution hijacked by Islamists.

There may need to be another civil war if an Islamic Republic is to be avoided. Those who acquire power by force of arms are often reluctant to share.

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

 

By *emma StonesTV/TS 24 hours ago

Crewe


"Personally I think the west should keep out of what doesn't concern them, but we have all got to keep the lights on, and pay through our utilities bills the cost for that including massive profits for all concerned.

It absolutely concerns us - when a region is destabilised it creates a refugee problem."

How big was the refugee problem from Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya before the west decided to get involved in regime change.

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

 

By *0shadesOfFilthMan 24 hours ago

nearby

[Removed by poster at 04/01/25 15:36:27]

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

 

By *habMan 24 hours ago

Boomtown


"We shouldn't expect to impose our cultural beliefs on those countries and should leave them govern themselves

In the same way people who visit / want to settle here should understand they cannot expect to impose their cultural beliefs on us

I find the idea that all cultures are morally equal quite bizarre.

These people rarely govern themselves; it's usually a handful of dictators imposing themselves onto a population, with no rights to elections or even a voice in how they are governed.

I'd say that, with certain issues, it isn't remotely subjective and that our values are often superior to theirs - for example, women's rights, gay rights, banning of FGM, rights to free expression etc."

As an outsider looking at the UK, I would like to ask what are your values ? Right to free expression seems to be a right for some opinions but not others especially if one is jailed for a social media post but r*pists can get suspended sentences

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

 

By *idnightMischiefMan 23 hours ago

London

[Removed by poster at 04/01/25 16:48:09]

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

 

By *eacresteMan 22 hours ago

hart village - Hartlepool

Israel can do what they like so likely that a big chunk of Syria will now be part of a greater Israel.

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

 

By *ortyairCouple 22 hours ago

Wallasey

That didn't take too long, only 44 posts before you bring up your anti Israeli narrative. Even when the thread is concerned about the possible rise of Theology by those trying to rule Syria... well done, Mrs x

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

 

By *ortyairCouple 22 hours ago

Wallasey

Sorry, my bad, even earlier only 34 posts, Mrs x

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

 

By *emma StonesTV/TS 22 hours ago

Crewe

I think these treads would benefit from people taking their personal squabbles into DMs and leave the threads to the actual subjects.

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

 

By *ortyairCouple 22 hours ago

Wallasey

I agree, Mrs x

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

 

By *wosmilersCouple 21 hours ago

Heathrowish


"I think these treads would benefit from people taking their personal squabbles into DMs and leave the threads to the actual subjects."

Oh, how naive

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

 

By *UGGYBEAR2015Man 20 hours ago

BRIDPORT


"Personally I think the west should keep out of what doesn't concern them, but we have all got to keep the lights on, and pay through our utilities bills the cost for that including massive profits for all concerned.

It absolutely concerns us - when a region is destabilised it creates a refugee problem."

I think that often the biggest destabilising influence in these situations is the interference from the west, who aren’t actually interested in the people and what happens to them, they are just interested in maintaining the access to natural resources.

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

 

By *idnightMischiefMan 18 hours ago

London


"As an outsider looking at the UK, I would like to ask what are your values ? Right to free expression seems to be a right for some opinions but not others especially if one is jailed for a social media post but r*pists can get suspended sentences "

I'm not sure how I managed to delete my reply, but the right to free expression does not mean the right to freedom from consequence.

In cases where people are imprisoned for their social media posts, it usually isn't the opinion that's the problem, it's more likely to be the attempt to incite other people into acts of hatred, violence or other forms of harm.

The fact these cases get so much media attention could arguably prove the point - that, unlike in many countries, the government is not above criticism.

Imagine a newspaper or media outlet in (for example) China publishing anything that criticises or questions government policy?

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

 

By *ronisMan 18 hours ago

Edinburgh

Well I am shocked. Who would have guessed?

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

 

By *eacresteMan 18 hours ago

hart village - Hartlepool


"That didn't take too long, only 44 posts before you bring up your anti Israeli narrative. Even when the thread is concerned about the possible rise of Theology by those trying to rule Syria... well done, Mrs x"

Well Syria and those governing Syrian territory is the subject here.

I would like to know if the territory now taken over by "that other country" to build settlements on could be a future flashpoint and another conflict with the new Syrian government (s) and 'that other country '

If I am allowed to suggest that

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

 

By *eacresteMan 17 hours ago

hart village - Hartlepool


"I agree, Mrs x"

I agree too!

I've been called horrible things in the past - some of them are even true

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

 

By *eacresteMan 17 hours ago

hart village - Hartlepool


"Personally I think the west should keep out of what doesn't concern them, but we have all got to keep the lights on, and pay through our utilities bills the cost for that including massive profits for all concerned.

It absolutely concerns us - when a region is destabilised it creates a refugee problem.

I think that often the biggest destabilising influence in these situations is the interference from the west, who aren’t actually interested in the people and what happens to them, they are just interested in maintaining the access to natural resources. "

I'm hoping that the factions can settle any differences and yes - no western involvement

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

 

By *ortyairCouple 17 hours ago

Wallasey


"Personally I think the west should keep out of what doesn't concern them, but we have all got to keep the lights on, and pay through our utilities bills the cost for that including massive profits for all concerned.

It absolutely concerns us - when a region is destabilised it creates a refugee problem.

I think that often the biggest destabilising influence in these situations is the interference from the west, who aren’t actually interested in the people and what happens to them, they are just interested in maintaining the access to natural resources.

I'm hoping that the factions can settle any differences and yes - no western involvement "

And you always basing this on what? Islamic fundamentalist is intolerant and ultimately violent. They will undoubtedly fight each other irrespective of any influence from 'outsiders', Mrs x

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

 

By *resesse_Meliorem OP   Couple 17 hours ago

Border of London


"Islamic fundamentalist is intolerant and ultimately violent. They will undoubtedly fight each other irrespective of any influence from 'outsiders', Mrs x"

The thing is, the currently dominant faction in charge of Syria has promised pluralism and at least paid lip service to an inclusive society. But the educational reforms seem to go against this. Being that Syria is a real mix of ethnicities, religions, cultures and a spectrum of religious observance spanning secularism to fundamentalism, there's hope for a great model for the rest of the Middle East. And then you have the state actors, of course. The largest and most militant being Turkey, who have a major beef against the Kurds and who have occupied five times more land than the next largest state actor, not to mention the Russian, Iranian, Israeli, US and Iraqi involvement. But it's really HTS led by Ahmed al-Sharaa who currently control the political direction. Hopefully, he will keep his (good, public) promises.

HTS:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hay'at_Tahrir_al-Sham

He declared 25 December a public holiday, which is a massive move for a(n ex-)militant jihadist. There is immense opportunity in Syria if he plays his cards right.

Egypt, meanwhile, is freaked out by the prospect of a similar strike against the secular rulers by the Muslim Brotherhood (loosely affiliated with HTS). It all has a very exciting potential, but also a scary potential.

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

 

By *ortyairCouple 15 hours ago

Wallasey


"Islamic fundamentalist is intolerant and ultimately violent. They will undoubtedly fight each other irrespective of any influence from 'outsiders', Mrs x

The thing is, the currently dominant faction in charge of Syria has promised pluralism and at least paid lip service to an inclusive society. But the educational reforms seem to go against this. Being that Syria is a real mix of ethnicities, religions, cultures and a spectrum of religious observance spanning secularism to fundamentalism, there's hope for a great model for the rest of the Middle East. And then you have the state actors, of course. The largest and most militant being Turkey, who have a major beef against the Kurds and who have occupied five times more land than the next largest state actor, not to mention the Russian, Iranian, Israeli, US and Iraqi involvement. But it's really HTS led by Ahmed al-Sharaa who currently control the political direction. Hopefully, he will keep his (good, public) promises.

HTS:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hay'at_Tahrir_al-Sham

He declared 25 December a public holiday, which is a massive move for a(n ex-)militant jihadist. There is immense opportunity in Syria if he plays his cards right.

Egypt, meanwhile, is freaked out by the prospect of a similar strike against the secular rulers by the Muslim Brotherhood (loosely affiliated with HTS). It all has a very exciting potential, but also a scary potential."

I hope you are right, Mrs x

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

 

By *eacresteMan 15 hours ago

hart village - Hartlepool


"Islamic fundamentalist is intolerant and ultimately violent. They will undoubtedly fight each other irrespective of any influence from 'outsiders', Mrs x

The thing is, the currently dominant faction in charge of Syria has promised pluralism and at least paid lip service to an inclusive society. But the educational reforms seem to go against this. Being that Syria is a real mix of ethnicities, religions, cultures and a spectrum of religious observance spanning secularism to fundamentalism, there's hope for a great model for the rest of the Middle East. And then you have the state actors, of course. The largest and most militant being Turkey, who have a major beef against the Kurds and who have occupied five times more land than the next largest state actor, not to mention the Russian, Iranian, Israeli, US and Iraqi involvement. But it's really HTS led by Ahmed al-Sharaa who currently control the political direction. Hopefully, he will keep his (good, public) promises.

HTS:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hay'at_Tahrir_al-Sham

He declared 25 December a public holiday, which is a massive move for a(n ex-)militant jihadist. There is immense opportunity in Syria if he plays his cards right.

Egypt, meanwhile, is freaked out by the prospect of a similar strike against the secular rulers by the Muslim Brotherhood (loosely affiliated with HTS). It all has a very exciting potential, but also a scary potential.I hope you are right, Mrs x"

Are you going to l thank me for nudging you in the right direction ?

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

 

By *eacresteMan 15 hours ago

hart village - Hartlepool


"Islamic fundamentalist is intolerant and ultimately violent. They will undoubtedly fight each other irrespective of any influence from 'outsiders', Mrs x

The thing is, the currently dominant faction in charge of Syria has promised pluralism and at least paid lip service to an inclusive society. But the educational reforms seem to go against this. Being that Syria is a real mix of ethnicities, religions, cultures and a spectrum of religious observance spanning secularism to fundamentalism, there's hope for a great model for the rest of the Middle East. And then you have the state actors, of course. The largest and most militant being Turkey, who have a major beef against the Kurds and who have occupied five times more land than the next largest state actor, not to mention the Russian, Iranian, Israeli, US and Iraqi involvement. But it's really HTS led by Ahmed al-Sharaa who currently control the political direction. Hopefully, he will keep his (good, public) promises.

HTS:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hay'at_Tahrir_al-Sham

He declared 25 December a public holiday, which is a massive move for a(n ex-)militant jihadist. There is immense opportunity in Syria if he plays his cards right.

Egypt, meanwhile, is freaked out by the prospect of a similar strike against the secular rulers by the Muslim Brotherhood (loosely affiliated with HTS). It all has a very exciting potential, but also a scary potential."

The only friction reported so far is the Christmas tree incident, and a separate cases of other ethnic minorities leaving their homes.

Fingers x'd it gets resolved but looking good on the whole so far (touch wood)

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

 

By *ortyairCouple 14 hours ago

Wallasey


"Islamic fundamentalist is intolerant and ultimately violent. They will undoubtedly fight each other irrespective of any influence from 'outsiders', Mrs x

The thing is, the currently dominant faction in charge of Syria has promised pluralism and at least paid lip service to an inclusive society. But the educational reforms seem to go against this. Being that Syria is a real mix of ethnicities, religions, cultures and a spectrum of religious observance spanning secularism to fundamentalism, there's hope for a great model for the rest of the Middle East. And then you have the state actors, of course. The largest and most militant being Turkey, who have a major beef against the Kurds and who have occupied five times more land than the next largest state actor, not to mention the Russian, Iranian, Israeli, US and Iraqi involvement. But it's really HTS led by Ahmed al-Sharaa who currently control the political direction. Hopefully, he will keep his (good, public) promises.

HTS:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hay'at_Tahrir_al-Sham

He declared 25 December a public holiday, which is a massive move for a(n ex-)militant jihadist. There is immense opportunity in Syria if he plays his cards right.

Egypt, meanwhile, is freaked out by the prospect of a similar strike against the secular rulers by the Muslim Brotherhood (loosely affiliated with HTS). It all has a very exciting potential, but also a scary potential.I hope you are right, Mrs x

Are you going to l thank me for nudging you in the right direction ?"

What direction? Mrs x

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

 

By *resesse_Meliorem OP   Couple 7 hours ago

Border of London


"

The only friction reported so far is the Christmas tree incident, and a separate cases of other ethnic minorities leaving their homes.

Fingers x'd it gets resolved but looking good on the whole so far (touch wood)"

There is much more friction than a burning tree:

There are hundreds of Kurds being killed.

The Alawites are being hunted down, lynched, tortured and killed. (Mostly reprisal/revenge killings) - the videos are chilling.

Druze are incredibly scared.

There was shooting and vandalism at a Greek Orthodox church. The Xmas tree incident was just the most high-profile of many issues that the Syrian Christians have been having over the past month or so.

This is the tip of the iceberg...

None of this is surprising, there has just been a major revolution and regime change. The government is saying all the right things and, hopefully, this will stop. The question is: is the stated pluralism real, and will it last?

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

 

By *eacresteMan 3 hours ago

hart village - Hartlepool


"

The only friction reported so far is the Christmas tree incident, and a separate cases of other ethnic minorities leaving their homes.

Fingers x'd it gets resolved but looking good on the whole so far (touch wood)

There is much more friction than a burning tree:

There are hundreds of Kurds being killed.

The Alawites are being hunted down, lynched, tortured and killed. (Mostly reprisal/revenge killings) - the videos are chilling.

Druze are incredibly scared.

There was shooting and vandalism at a Greek Orthodox church. The Xmas tree incident was just the most high-profile of many issues that the Syrian Christians have been having over the past month or so.

This is the tip of the iceberg...

None of this is surprising, there has just been a major revolution and regime change. The government is saying all the right things and, hopefully, this will stop. The question is: is the stated pluralism real, and will it last?"

That's terrible news.

I believe your right about the parallels with the Taliban

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

  

By *enSiskoMan 3 hours ago

Cestus 3


"Personally I think the west should keep out of what doesn't concern them, but we have all got to keep the lights on, and pay through our utilities bills the cost for that including massive profits for all concerned.

It absolutely concerns us - when a region is destabilised it creates a refugee problem."

Yes you are correct, maybe that is the reason so many countries announced a review of their immigration policy concerning Syrians a little after the revolution.

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

» Add a new message to this topic

0.0625

0.0156