Jeremy Goldman’s Post

https://lnkd.in/eHpuiq8y Syria Statement The Islamic Human Rights Commission affirms the fundamental right of both the Syrian and Palestinian people to resist oppression and tyranny and live a dignified existence. Justice and moral consistency demand that we cannot trade one people’s rights away to secure another’s. Yet once more we are being asked to choose between the two by an imperialist/Zionist hegemon that seeks to expand its nefarious influence in Muslim lands. Just as the US and its allies sought to destabilise Syria and destroy the integrity the state in 2011 by hijacking the uprising there, the same forces are using the opportunities presented by the genocide in Gaza to do so again. It is no coincidence that regime change has happened in Damascus while Gaza and its people are being pounded into oblivion in a genocide in which Syria serves as an important conduit for weapons to the resistance groups fighting Israel. The US-Zionist aim is to sever that supply line, switch fronts away from Israel and keep Muslims fighting each other to weaken resistance to the Zionist project. No one should be under any illusion that good ever comes out of regime change that arrives on the back of US-funded troop carriers. We need only look at the recent examples of Afghanistan, Sudan, Iraq and Libya to see that this kind of “revolution” brings neither liberation nor peace and security. We hope and pray that the latest upheavals do not fall prey to Western/Zionist designs and lead to the genuine empowerment of the Syrian people.

The recent fall of the Syrian regime has been a topic of debate among Western leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and US President Biden. - by Frederic Eger - Map: Ethno-religious map of Syria {Supreme Deliciousness, CC BY-SA 1.0 via Wikimedia Commons Macron's statement that the "barbaric state" has fallen is a deceitful attempt to portray a change of regime based on military might as a popular uprising. However, it is unclear which part of the Syrian people Macron is talking about, as it is unclear which part of the Syrian people he is referring to. The Syrian reality is that by and large, there is no "Syrian people." Like Iraq and Lebanon, "modern" Syria is an invented country – cut by British and French colonialists out of whole cloth. The territory of "Syria" is home to a variety of people, differing by ethnicity and faith. The term "diversity" may sound comfortingly positive to Western ears, but the Middle Eastern reality is that "diversity" translates into sectarian division and lack of national cohesion. In Syria, eight decades of independence (more than five of them under the Assads) failed to forge a "Syrian" national identity. The "barbaric state" of the Assads was hated by many in Syria – and with good reason. But no, "the Syrian people" had little to do with the recent change of regime. For three decades, Syria has been held together in the iron grip of a ruthless tyrant – Hafez Al-Assad. Bashar Al-Assad, his son and successor, was widely viewed as an epigone. His perceived weakness emboldened internal opponents and attracted the interference of "neighbors" such as Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey. With Russian and Iranian support, Assad re-established control over the country's largest cities and its most populous parts. Worried by Shia Iran's expanding influence, Saudi Arabia and the Gulf emirates lavished funds on a plethora of Sunni Islamist organizations, often at odds with each other, but all of them opposed to the Assad regime. The recent fall of the Syrian regime highlights the poor understanding of the Middle East and the need for a more nuanced approach to understanding the situation. By recognizing the diversity and diversity of the Syrian population, the West can better navigate the complex dynamics of the Middle East and work towards a more inclusive and just society.

https://lnkd.in/d9H3kbVB Is Jordan’s King Abdullah II a “Dead Man Walking”? By Michael Rubin 19fortyfive.com December 11, 2024 Syrian President Bashar al-Assad may be the chief casualty of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)’s capture of Damascus, but he may not be alone. Just as the Arab Spring began in Tunisia but then steamrolled through the region claiming the scalps of the leaders of Egypt, Libya, and Yemen. The same dynamics that contributed to Assad’s fall—conscript armies, corruption, and stagnant or declining living standards among ordinary citizens—are present in other countries: Iran, Egypt, Azerbaijan, and Jordan, for example.  Jordan’s King Abdullah II especially should be very worried. Like Former Soviet Premier Mikhail Gorbachev, King Abdullah II is much more popular outside his country than inside. Too often, Washington think tank scholars and international correspondents allow their desire for access to skew their perspective. Decades of relative poverty primes Jordanians toward extremism. Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the leader of Iraqi Sunni insurgents from 2003 until his 2006 death, was both Jordanian and more the rule rather than the exception in certain corners of the country. That Jordan is majority Palestinians, too, also makes the kingdom vulnerable. Neither Erdogan nor HTS have to worry about Hamas seeking power in Turkey or Syria because Hamas is movement that fuses Islamism with Palestinian nationalism. Jordan, however, comprises more than 70 percent of historic Palestine by territory, and is two-thirds Palestinian by demography. Hamas resonates inside Jordan.  It was one thing for Queen Rania to carry water for Hamas earlier this year in Congress when the group was isolated in Gaza, separated from Jordan by Israel itself. Now that Turkey may enable Hamas to use Syria as its new base, it is an entirely different story. Abdullah II may not fall—neither Israel nor the United States want that outcome—but he nevertheless has a target on his back, and like his great-grandfather and namesake, he may not survive.  Jordan is a cornerstone of the moderate Arab coalition and a country upon which the United States relies disproportionately in its support for regional security and peace. It is for this reason as well that many Islamists hate the country. Just the Assad’s fall sent reverberations throughout the region, Jordan’s fall could be as momentous, putting extremists on Israel’s border and enabling a new land bridge for the region’s reactionaries to take their terror to Israel’s borders.

In recent history, Muslim leaders who opposed Isrel—directly or indirectly—have been systematically eliminated, making way for far worse regimes. #KingFaisal of #SaudiArabia, who led the oil embargo in 1973, was assassinated after challenging Western powers. #MuhammadMosaddegh of #Iran was ousted by a CIA-backed coup for nationalizing oil. #ZiaUlHaq of #Pakistan, a staunch Palest!n!an supporter, died in a mysterious crash. #YasirArafat, the face of Palest!n!an resistance, likely poisoned. #SaddamHussein’s fall through US lies on weapons of mass destruction paved the way for IS!S. #Gaddafi’s removal fragmented #Libya. #MuhammadMorsi of #Egypt, democratically elected, was overthrown in a coup, replaced by a more oppressive regime. #Nasrallah, of #Lebanon martyred yesterday by bunker bombs. Despite their flaws, these leaders opposed Isreli expansion. When removed, they were replaced by brutal, compliant, corrupt figures, turning former resistors into silent collaborators. This isn’t coincidence—it’s part of a geopolitical strategy, backed by the U.S., to eliminate opposition to Isreli interests. G@za today is a glimpse of what the Arab and Muslim world could face if this continues. With Lebanon’s latest attack, who will stop Isrel from expanding to Syria, Iraq, or beyond? The #UN and #ArabLeague have done little to hold Isrel accountable. We are witnessing not just the elimination of leaders but the dismantling of an entire region’s ability to resist. The writing is on the wall, and few are reading it. #IsraelPalestine #Geopolitics #HumanRights #Leadership #SocialJustice

Syria's crisis reflects challenges of division, sectarianism, and foreign interference in the Islamic world. Unity, governance reform, and education are vital to overcoming turmoil and fostering progress. By Muhammad Mohsin Iqbal Read more👇 https://lnkd.in/dQeFv3q4

https://lnkd.in/dpi6P9qX Western Democracies Face Not Only Hamas The Physical Organization But Also Hamas The Idea, Part of A Broader Islamist Infrastructure Nearly a year after the October 7th, 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel, the UK has witnessed serious riots involving concerns around mass migration and crime. Two events give us much to think about in the now nearly three-decades-long discussion surrounding Islamism, migration and multiculturalism. Tuesday, September 17, 2024   By: Ayaan Hirsi Ali The foreign policy of many European countries and even the U.S. will increasingly be shaped by growing support for Islamism, and by extension Hamas, among a certain share of the population. Whether this population is either Islamist, or non-Islamist but committed to a particular interpretation of “social justice” that valorizes Hamas, is less relevant than the effect of this support. For Hamas to be defeated, it will therefore not be sufficient for Hamas to be physically declawed. Driven by the same ideas, a similar group will simply arise, motivated by similar ideas, much like heads of a hydra can reappear and continue the fight. An earnest engagement with the principles and objectives of the Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas is required among Western intellectuals, humanitarians and representatives of civil society. My Hoover colleague Russell Berman has argued, on a more optimistic note, that it is possible to “defeat” harmful totalitarian ideas over time with sustained effort. I hope that this will be the case. In the meantime, both in foreign and domestic policies of Western democracies, it will be necessary to grapple not only with Hamas the physical entity but also with Hamas the idea.

A complex mix of authorities governs the 5.5 million Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip and West Bank territories. Palestinians, like Jews, trace their ancestry to the geographic area that now forms the state of Israel and the two Palestinian territories. Yet, the Palestinians do not have a universally recognized state, with their aspirations to create one depending not just on Palestinian leadership, but also on Israel and recognition by foreign powers. https://lnkd.in/e-9PSaup

conflict proposal part 2 Israeli side (act of decolonization) WEST BANK IS NOW  the 3rd country in the world with Jewsafter Usa and israel !!!!   • Change in the full proportional election system that favours colonizing and extremist parties in Israel   • Plan for 100% of the settlers to withdraw (without destroying buildings and infrastructure in place) taken over by the Palestinians   • On the few overpopulated settlements, land swaps to expand the Palestinian territory in proportion (like exchange done between france and Switzerland and Germany in many case )   • International assistance for the relocation of refugees to Israel   Set up tribunal for extremist on both side based on Gacaca in Rwanda in order to give a chance to the future   Long-term (20 to 25 years )   ·      Control the education and remove the religion part of it   • Promote exchanges between the two communities   • Condemn strong sentences for extremism on both sides (terrorist attacks and extremist settlers )   • Set Arabic as the second language in Israel with English   • Put Hebrew as the 2nd language in Palestine with English   • Mobilize Israeli Arabs as ambassadors for reconciliation   • Twinning town villages on both sides (friendship Franco-German plan in the 1960s)   • Organize exchanges (know each other )   • Slap hard on the extremists   Do not deviate in the long term   If we bring development and hope Tensions will reduce and we will slowly leave the place to resilience     Of course, many will criticize but just propose ... or should we continue like this , just counting the deaths of 2 “future fraternal “peoples ?.        

The fall of Bashar al-Assad, a pivotal moment in modern Syrian history, has left many communities, especially religious minorities like Christians, at a crossroads. Assad, who inherited a repressive regime from his father Hafez, was initially seen by some as a potential reformer. However, his legacy is now marked by the brutal suppression of the 2011 protests, which spiraled into a devastating civil war. What does this mean for Syrian Christians? Christians in Syria have been a significant minority, contributing to the cultural and religious diversity of the region. Under Assad's rule, they found a degree of protection from extremist threats but at the cost of living under an authoritarian regime. With Assad's regime falling, Syrian Christians face new challenges and uncertainties. The immediate concern is the potential rise of extremist elements within the rebel factions. There have been historical precedents where Christian communities were targeted by groups like ISIS or al-Qaeda offshoots in areas they controlled. The fear of forced conversion, persecution, or displacement looms large. Some opposition groups, including Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, have promised to protect religious minorities, urging them to remain and continue their daily lives. However, these promises come with skepticism given the past actions of similar groups. Cautious optimism from some within the Christian community, noting that there are orders not to interfere with Christian practices. Yet, the credibility of these assurances is under scrutiny due to the complex and fragmented nature of the rebel groups. There's a growing call among Syrian Christians for self-organization and protection, possibly forming neutral, community-based defense units to ensure safety without aligning with any political faction. Given the history of Christian emigration from conflict zones in the Middle East, there's a significant chance that many Christians might seek refuge elsewhere, either in neighboring countries or further afield, if the situation deteriorates. Western nations, especially those with historical ties to Middle Eastern Christianity like France, might look to leverage their influence to ensure the protection of Christian communities in Syria. The future for Syrian Christians in a post-Assad Syria is fraught with both peril. As the political landscape shifts, the community will need to navigate between maintaining their cultural and religious identity, securing their physical safety, and perhaps, contributing to a new, inclusive Syrian narrative. #Syria #ChristianityInSyria #HumanRights #MiddleEast #Politics