It looks like you're using an Ad Blocker.
Please white-list or disable AboveTopSecret.com in your ad-blocking tool.
Thank you.
Some features of ATS will be disabled while you continue to use an ad-blocker.
The Revolution
It has been three years since the revolution started in Syria to over throw the Syrian Dictator . With over 2,00,000 dead , millions forced out of their homes and their livelihoods destroyed. A significant portion of the country has been turned into a war zone . The question which should be asked is, how long will the bloodshed continue and what will it take to stop this conflict. The war in Syria is a reminder of what can go wrong and how a well intended revolution of removing a dictator can turn into an unending nightmare .
History being Erased
Syria had some of the oldest and most cultivated literary heritage . The Music , story telling and artistry which dated back to thousands of years .Syria was also dotted with ancient architecture, From Ruins of Elba dating back to 3000BC, the Roman theater in Bosra, the Church of Saint Simeon Stylites near Aleppo which is considered the oldest surviving church in Syria to the Assyrian temple at Tell Shiek Hamad. Many of these historical sites has been either completely destroyed or severely damaged either due to the fighting or due to Extremist forces like Al Nusra and many others deliberately destroying similar sites.
Economy
Syrian Economy was diverse and booming with more than 12% of the economy coming from the tourism industry alone . The Oil and Gas industry was providing upto 20% of the revenue .The Syrian economy grew at an average of 7 to 8% . The Economic ramifications of the war has been Catastrophic with unemployment in Syria at an all time high those who have work are forced to spend all the money they get on basic necessities .The well educated Citizens who are often the backbone of any country are forced to move out of the country leaving the country with less qualified personal .
The infrastructure of the country is in Shambles forcing the companies in Syria to move their industry and personal abroad to either Egypt or Turkey. Combined that with the sanctions imposed by the western countries of the life of the people in Syria is in dire need of help . Up to 60 percent of the population of the country is in poverty as compared to 30% before the war .
The Sanctions from western economies have also lead to increased smuggling and other underground economies to popup . Europeans freezing of Syrian bank accounts have lead to the shortage of funds in the country leading to less funds to run medical and other vital services . This is extremely reminiscent to what happened in Iraq after the gulf war in 1990 which lead to the destruction of infrastructure and other medical services leading to the alleged deaths of 5,00,000 children . When the question was posed to Madeline Albright her answer was “ The price we think was price was worth it”.
Society
Syria was one of the few secular and progressive societies in the middle east which did not have any extremist influences . Assad and his father even though a dictator was able to maintain a secular modern society were people from different religious backgrounds could live peacefully. The Wahhabi influence which is dominating the other Middle eastern countries had failed to breach Syria, Same can be said in case of Gaddafi in Libya and Saddam Hussein in Iraq were terrorism and extremism was non existent until the intervention of the western powers.The revolution in Syria gave an opportunity for a seemingly well intended revolutionary movement to be tainted by extremist and Wahhabi ideology.
The position of a society can be described by the status of their women. The Syrian society was had female entrepreneurs doctors , scientists ,public servants and even airline pilots . Woman rode around in two wheelers , cars to their work places . They had the freedom of any society to express themselves in any way they wanted . Now large parts of Syria which are not controlled by Syrian Govt. are either controlled by Al Nusra or ISIS . Majority of women in these places has been either forced to convert to Islam or the women here have been kidnapped and forcefully married of to terrorists, now the reports of ISIS having brothels were woman are reportedly raped up to 50 times a day makes it quiet certain that life under the Assad Regime was far more open and safer for the women.
Aftermath
As the war rages on in Syria Assad regime which was once known for its dictatorship has turned out to be the sole hope of the Syrian people . Many of the revolutionaries who truly intended to bring democracy in Syria who joined the FSA has been forced back into joining the Syrian Army due to the extremist elements in the FSA and their allies. The fact that Assad Regime has survived 3 years in a civil war and is also making progress in the war proves that Assad regime had a lot of local support. The National Defense forces is entirely filled with Syrian volunteers.
The unfortunate fact about the revolution in Syria is that it was used by external forces to change the status-quo in Syria to their favor on the expense of the Syrian people. One can only hope and prey that peace will return to Syria one day but that is improbable unless the developed countries involved in Syria put aside their political goals and focus on the Humanitarian crisis existing in Syria .
originally posted by: maddy21
The Revolution
It has been three years since the revolution started in Syria to over throw the Syrian Dictator . With over 2,00,000 dead , millions forced out of their homes and their livelihoods destroyed. A significant portion of the country has been turned into a war zone . The question which should be asked is, how long will the bloodshed continue and what will it take to stop this conflict. The war in Syria is a reminder of what can go wrong and how a well intended revolution of removing a dictator can turn into an unending nightmare .
History being Erased
Syria had some of the oldest and most cultivated literary heritage . The Music , story telling and artistry which dated back to thousands of years .Syria was also dotted with ancient architecture, From Ruins of Elba dating back to 3000BC, the Roman theater in Bosra, the Church of Saint Simeon Stylites near Aleppo which is considered the oldest surviving church in Syria to the Assyrian temple at Tell Shiek Hamad. Many of these historical sites has been either completely destroyed or severely damaged either due to the fighting or due to Extremist forces like Al Nusra and many others deliberately destroying similar sites.
Economy
Syrian Economy was diverse and booming with more than 12% of the economy coming from the tourism industry alone . The Oil and Gas industry was providing upto 20% of the revenue .The Syrian economy grew at an average of 7 to 8% . The Economic ramifications of the war has been Catastrophic with unemployment in Syria at an all time high those who have work are forced to spend all the money they get on basic necessities .The well educated Citizens who are often the backbone of any country are forced to move out of the country leaving the country with less qualified personal .
The infrastructure of the country is in Shambles forcing the companies in Syria to move their industry and personal abroad to either Egypt or Turkey. Combined that with the sanctions imposed by the western countries of the life of the people in Syria is in dire need of help . Up to 60 percent of the population of the country is in poverty as compared to 30% before the war .
The Sanctions from western economies have also lead to increased smuggling and other underground economies to popup . Europeans freezing of Syrian bank accounts have lead to the shortage of funds in the country leading to less funds to run medical and other vital services . This is extremely reminiscent to what happened in Iraq after the gulf war in 1990 which lead to the destruction of infrastructure and other medical services leading to the alleged deaths of 5,00,000 children . When the question was posed to Madeline Albright her answer was “ The price we think was price was worth it”.
Society
Syria was one of the few secular and progressive societies in the middle east which did not have any extremist influences . Assad and his father even though a dictator was able to maintain a secular modern society . The Wahhabi influence which had dominated other Middle eastern countries had failed to breach Syria.The revolution in Syria and the civil war gave an opportunity for a seemingly well intended revolutionary movement to be tainted by extremist and Wahhabi mindset.
The position of a society can be described by the status of their women. The Syrian society was filled female entrepreneurs doctors , scientists ,public servants and even airline pilots . Woman rode around in two wheelers , cars to their work places . They had the freedom of any society to express themselves in any way they wanted . Now large parts of Syria which are not controlled by Syrian Govt. are either controlled by Al Nusra or ISIS . Majority of women in these places has been either forced to convert to Islam or the women here have been kidnapped and forcefully married of to terrorists, now the reports of ISIS having brothels were woman are reportedly raped up to 50 times a day makes it quiet certain that life under the Assad Regime was far more open and safer for the women.
Aftermath
As the war rages on in Syria Assad regime which was once known for its dictatorship has turned out to be the sole hope of the Syrian people . Many of the revolutionaries who truly intended to bring democracy in Syria who joined the FSA has been forced back into joining the Syrian Army due to the extremist elements in the FSA and their allies. The fact that Assad Regime has survived 3 years in a civil war and is also making progress in the war proves that Assad regime had a lot of local support. The National Defense forces is entirely filled with Syrian volunteers.
The unfortunate fact about the revolution in Syria is that it was used by external forces to change the status-quo in Syria to their favor on the expense of the Syrian people. One can only hope and prey that peace will return to Syria one day but that is improbable unless the developed countries involved in Syria put aside their political goals and focus on the Humanitarian crisis existing in Syria .
This is the first article i wrote on my own and a topic i felt compelled to write about . It was only proper for me to start in ATS .
legitimate leader.
Go to youtube and watch footage of the Syrian army snipers, air force and ground troops taking care of business.
originally posted by: CharlieSpeirs
a reply to: Quetzalcoatl14
legitimate leader.
Considering Assad's father ruled for nearly three decades, then decided his son would take over...
I'm guessing that's not too legitimate...
The people want rid of the Assad regime...
It started before "Western intervention"...
So the people of Syria wanted him gone prior to the conspiracy.
originally posted by: CharlieSpeirs
a reply to: Quetzalcoatl14
legitimate leader.
Considering Assad's father ruled for nearly three decades, then decided his son would take over...
I'm guessing that's not too legitimate...
The people want rid of the Assad regime...
It started before "Western intervention"...
So the people of Syria wanted him gone prior to the conspiracy.
originally posted by: sosobad
a reply to: maddy21
Good job maddy, a well written piece
Not much more I can add to it, Syria was used and abused by western powers to satisfy their own needs, hopefully one day they will find justice.
Assumption number one: Western democracy defines legitimacy. There are dozens of countries with kings, life long dictators, etc.
Second false assumption: Most Syrians wanted him gone. He actually is strongly supported by a large majority of Syrians. Yes, CNN lied.
Third false implication: That the west has the right to engage in proxy wars to remove him, violating Syrian sovereignty.
Fourth false assumption: That the West has any care or worry about democracy and human rights in Syria and that is why they are intervening.
Sorry,if you are still buying the western media version of what is going on you are misinformed.
originally posted by: CharlieSpeirs
a reply to: solarstorm
Go to youtube and watch footage of the Syrian army snipers, air force and ground troops taking care of business.
If you call Barrel Bombs & Airstikes on women & children "taking care of business"...
Then good luck to you.
originally posted by: Quetzalcoatl14
Assumption number one: Western democracy defines legitimacy. There are dozens of countries with kings, life long dictators, etc.