Syria Media Roundup (April 11th)

[This is a roundup of news articles and other materials circulating on Syria and reflects a wide variety of opinions. It does not reflect the views of the Syria Page Editors or of Jadaliyya. You may send your own recommendations for inclusion in each week's roundup to syria@jadaliyya.comby Monday night of every week]

 

On Foreign Intervention

“Putting Syria into Some Perspective” William Blum’s insightful comments on the power of “The Holy Triumvirate: The United States, NATO, and the European Union.”

“This week at war:Syria as Prologue” Robert Haddick discusses US and other “friends of Syria” “non-lethal” means of helping the opposition.

“Deadlock over Syria” Alain Gresh argues that a foreign intervention assumes a “clash between democracy and dictatorship.”

“There’s a fear that the fall of Assad would lead to worse for Western interests and Israel…” Comprehensive interview with Gilbert Achcar, speaking about how the uprising affects regional politics.

“Syria’s Crisis: Weapons vs Negotiations” Mariano Aguirre’s false dilemma over the Syrian uprising.

“Friends of Syria ‘Push Civil War’” Vijay Prashad explains the rifts between the opposition inside and outside Syria.

“Saudi Arabia’s Syrian Jihad” Joshua Jacobs sees the uprising as another instance of regional powers choosing the winners and losers of the war.

Six Point Syria Plan on the Brink of Failure, Talk of the Nation

Analysis of Syrian Oppositional Currents

“Syria’s Opposition in Exile Plagued by Infighting” Victoria Kleber presents the Syria National Council as delusional players more interested in asserting their personal gains in the post-Assad period.

“The Virtue of Civil  Disobedience” Donatella Della Ratta explains the virtue of civil disobedience as a means of revolution.

“The ‘Sheik’ of Syria’s Rebellion Ponders its Obstacles”  Yassin Haj Saleh argues that the opposition is increasingly divided along sectarian and generational lines.

“Lebanon and Free Syrian Army: A State of Denial” Syrian opposition fighters seeking care in Lebanon hospitals admit to killing men of different religious sects.

“Zuhair Siddiq Ressurfaces” As’ad AbuKhalil discusses the Western media’s failure to talk about this figure of the Syrian uprising.

 

On Syrian Narratives

“surprise video changes Syria timeline”  Former Al-Jazeera journalist Ali Hashem will soon air footage of opposition fighters from abroad entering Syria as early as May 2011. 

“Five Possible Scenarios for Syria and their Impact for Iraq” Safa A. Hussein outlines a list of possible developments in Syria.

“The Real Bashar al-Assad” Camille Otrakji in-depth focus on Bashar al-Assad’s presidency.

“Rage and Refuge on the Border” Globe and Mail’s Jess Hills recounts her encounter with Syrian refugees in Turkey.

“Undergunned and Overwhelmed” Rania Abouzeid’s empathetic encounter with the Free Syrian Army.

“Syria Children’s Torture by Security Forces Revealed”

“The weight of Syria’s Violence will Inevitably topple Assad” Hassan Hassan’s idea that violence alone will topple Assad.

 

“A Secret Plot in Syria” Cartoons presenting a timeline of Syrian politics from 1949.

“The Day Hafez al-Assad Died” Maya Mikdashi and her memories on the day Hafez al-Assad died.

 

On Sectarianism

“Lebanon, getting on the fence” Al-Akhbar’s Ibrahim al-Amin explains how Lebanese society is polarized over the Syrian uprising.

A podcast from the BBC's Barbara Platt on the conflict in Syria and sectarianism spilling over into Tripoli, Lebanon

 

“The role of the mosque in the Syrian Revolution”  Thomas Pierret describes the relationship between religious figures and the security apparatus in Syria.

“Syrian Arab Opposition Fear Kurdish Demands” Wladimir van Wilgenburg explains how Kurds do not have incentives to side with anyone.

“Disaffection, fear growing among Syria's Alawites” The fear of a minority which overwhelmingly remains supportive of Bashar.

Official Releases

“New York, 6 April 2012 - Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General on Syria” Latest statements from the UN secretary general

Policy Reports

“Now or Never: A Negotiated Transition for Syria” The International Crisis Groups writes its recommendations on the Annan Plan, claiming that “those would be welcomed by the many Syrians.”

In Arabic

الحقيقة ... أكرم خلق ثوري  

Haytham Al-Mannaa writes about the need for the principle of truth and transparency to govern the Syrian Uprising 

البعث في الخامسة والستين: من 'سيد القدر' إلى 'المنحبكجي'

Subhi Hadidi writes about Article 8 of the Syrian constitution, and the 65th anniversary of the establishment of the Baath party 

قيامة سورية 

Subhi Hadidi writes about Easter in Syria after a year of the uprising. 

 

عدالة الثورة لا تضمن عدالة الثائرين 
Yassin Al-Haj Saleh talks about the human rights abuses that are committed in the name of the Syrian uprising.

في بديهيات الانتفاضة السورية 

Mohammad Dibo argues that activists need to renew their focus on the main and obvious goals and principles of the Syrian uprising.

 

نوم الغزلان في سورية

Elias Khoury for Al-Quds Al-Arabi: The Syrian revolution in writing

لموقف للإسلاميين من السلاح لا لبس فيه 

Michel Kilo for Assafir, on the Islamists position regarding arms
 

شاهد فر من سوريا يروي “القصة الكاملة” لـ27 يوما من حصار حمص
Malek Daghestani provides his account of the 27-day blockade of Homs.

From Jadaliyya

“The Day Hafez al-Assad Died” Maya Mikdashi and her memories on the day Hafez al-Assad died.

“Why the Syrian Regime will abide by the ceasefire this week” Jadaliyya editor Bassam Haddad’s provocative non-article 

 

العمود الفقري لاستثمارات النظام السوري
Bassam Haddad address the importance of the top Syrian businessmen's support for the status quo