Analysis: Syria fumes as the rest of the Arab world stays silent
Damascus frustrated key Arab countries haven't denounced Israel for allegedly violating Syrian airspace.
By Yoav Stern Tags: Syria InternetThere is a joke in Damascus about a bus that carries passengers to distant parts of the country. In every town where the bus stops, the driver announces its name and opens the door to let passengers on or off. Between two villages, he stops and cries out: "Secret missile base." At that point, two soldiers disembark.
Public opinion in Syria, and in the Arab world in general, is demanding detailed explanations. It is hard to gauge Syrian public opinion from a distance, but the Internet exposes some of what Syrian citizens are feeling.
"For 60 years, we have heard the slogan that a war will not be imposed on us at a time and place that is not suitable for us," an Arab Internet surfer wrote last week, echoing analysts' statements. On the web site of the official daily Al-Thawra, another wrote: "Would not the best timing and the most appropriate response be to shoot down one of the attacking aircraft?"
Meanwhile, official Damascus is slowly preparing for a diplomatic offensive. Senior Syrian officials are counting their friends. The official Syrian news agency SANA is collating every condemnation: political parties from Yemen, individuals from Lebanon, the Arab League, some lukewarm statements from Egypt, Qatar and Turkey.
On Sunday, Libya joined in, with a Foreign Ministry source calling for a unified Arab stance - which seems to be more distant than ever. There is considerable frustration in Damascus that key Arab countries have not bothered to denounce Israel and express their support for Syria.
The editor-in-chief of the daily Tishrin, Isam Dari, reflected this frustration. In an editorial on Saturday, he wrote that what is disheartening is not what the enemy is doing, but the response of Syria's Arab brothers. "They remain silent in face of Israeli piracy, as if this had happened on Mars or Jupiter," he said.
The fact that countries like Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, the Gulf states and the Maghreb states have not expressed their support for Syria reflects its isolation in the Arab world. These countries, often termed "moderate," have major differences with Syria - not only about Lebanon, but also about its strategic decisions, particularly its alliance with Iran, which they consider a threat to the Arab world in general.
Nonetheless, all the states in the region, including Israel, are still waiting for a clear Syrian response. Will it make do with a passive reaction through diplomatic channels, or will it opt for something else? Past experience suggests that Syria will avoid direct confrontation with Israel at any price.
The border between the two has been Israel's calmest ever since the 1973 Yom Kippur War. Syria's advantage lies elsewhere: In recent years, it has put together a long list of dubious allies that serve as subcontractors for its military operations. Thus one possibility is that Syria's response to the Israeli challenge will take a different form and come from in a different place.
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or perhaps they're not as stupid/gungho as the americans/israeli's. Perhaps they realize that people shouldn't lose their lives because of an airplane flight. The person who attempts to start a fight or is quick to jump into one is often the weakest, and one who is too caught up in trying to 'prove' something rather than do that which is most beneficial/smart. Syria/Iran have a mutual protection pact. If I'm not mistaken, that's how the world war started. :) Be careful where you fly your jets, because the powder keg is already there. All you have to do is light it. And it won't be a tit for a tat. It will be all-out. What you need to realize is that 'war' in that region will ruin everything, including Israel, including Syria, and including Iran (as Israel's big brother will jump in to help). But the effects are far-reaching. Moreso than simply those countries. If the united states attacks, it will also be attacked. Then China and Russia will be the new superpower
When Turkey threatened to invade and "be in Damascus within 1 week" in 1999 because of terrorist leader Ocalan, the Syrians gave up because of their old tanks and planes. That was 8 years ago. Now I wonder if they even have %25 of their fleet running. And by the way so what if there are 2 Israeli fuel tanks that are within Turkey. Not like Israel harbored a terrorist leader for 15 years that cost the lives of 30,000 people in Turkey. Nothing to Syria from Turkey...
All he is good at is to fight a proxy war.Arm a bunch of terrorist to do his dirty work,when push comes to shove the dog hides its tail and scram.
September 8, 2007, two Syrian, ex-Royal Guardsman for Assad, fighting with Fatah Al- Islam, captured in the north of Lebanon. There is some sort of connection.
It's almost next year ... still waiting
why have egypt..jordan...saudi.. kept quiet? because of their patron uncle sam. ask the arab people .... they will have a different view. just have to wait for the stooges to tumble.
you mean like israel assasinates people too, regardless, your doing what the syrians have done, yet you have a so called legitamate excuse and syria doesn't? your all the same, murder is murder unless in direct confrontation in a war.
Because the Arab States are being threatened by Iran and their lackey, Syria. Would you bother?
Only you and a couple of others are trying to provoke anything.
UN has and is still investigating the Hariri Gemayel murders. According to the UN there is a trail leading straight to Damascus. To stop the vote on the need for a Tribunal, Behri has had the doors of parliament shut for months. It didn't work. Siniora requested theTribunal under Chapter 7. UN Security Council complied. People aren't as stupid as you may think.
Why they are fuming?? Maybe its gonna be a wake up call to the Syrians that no arab country gives a s..t about them really.
If in fact Israel violated Syrian air space, Why not respond in favor of Syria. Yes I think they do the dealing for Iran. But, if Israel was not provoked then they are wrong.
IAF flew over Syria to test out the new anti-aircraft system russia has recently shipped to Syria and Iran. Knowledge of this "advanced"system" is essential prior to any US action over Iran. This explains why Condeleeza is so quiet on the issue, and why the Saudi's are saying nothing. It also shows that Russian Technology is still no match for US technology and Israeli technological skills.
"The border between the two has been Israel's calmest ever since the 1973 Yom Kippur War." - Yoav Stern, Haaretz Correspondent So why is either the Olmert government or rogue elements in the IAF trying to provoke a war?
"Earth to Syria. Everyone knows you killed Harari." Who on Earth is this Harari that you seem so sorry for? At least get his name right - it's Hariri. And what is YOUR proof that Syria killed him? The tribunal has existed for a long time now and was headed by more than one judge. Do you think they would be silent if they had any evidence? Hariri is one of many people who were assasinated in the ME. Why focus on Hariri if you are for justice/truth and against assasinations?
Guess because of a very confused message. Nuclears are ultimate weapons - not to be used in reality. So that they are just a warranty of life of a kind.
...as the rest of the Arab world stays silent ... They better keep it that way, nobody would listen to them anyway. The story would different if nuclear weapons speak these days.
You know exactly how to start a war, make trouble and blame other.
The Syrians cannot expect much sunni arab support as they are now viewed as a tool of shi'a Iran. Interesting that the Iranians who have a mutual defence pact with Syria have been very quiet. This suggests some significance to the overflight.
...Syria's response to the Israeli challenge will take a different form and come from in a different place.. Either "come from" or "come in" but never "come from in"
...Syria's response to the Israeli challenge will take a different form and come from in a different place... Either "come from" or " come in" but never "come from in"
And all the other Lebanese parliament people who wanted a free Lebanon, you killed. Why dont Syria cooperate with the U.N regarding the Harari killing? Its pretty obvious why. They killed him.
they are not virgins.israel overflies them regularly and has overflown the wretched assad's palace while he was sleeping in the place. the truth is israel probably knocked out his long range rockets and he is humiliated.hence all this noise.
really...make peace with Israel you sticks in the mud