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DISCUSSION: Has the West Misunderstood Syria?
Syria is in a key position. This key can unlock the door to significant and positive global change. Much now depends on whether or not the west can work co-operatively and allow Syria to play a pivotal role in world events.
This is a true opportunity.
Doubtless, the deep seated impression within many western communities has been heavy influenced by history. For example, the old cold war relationship between Syria and the then USSR made Syria a well defined enemy of that area of the world dominated by US policy.
Another reason for the west’s impression of Syria is the well publicised enmity between Syria and Israel. Again, because the US dominated west have largely been pro-Israel in the endless middle eastern conflict, Syria again has been progressively demonised in typical style.
One control mechanism employed by most governments, some more than others, is the concept of perceived threat. A population that perceives itself to be threatened is much easier to control – and manipulate – that would otherwise be possible. In this way there can be a clear justification for security and military spend.
And the above points are important because?
It is because these are the means by which we perceive.
But let’s face facts. The old USSR no longer exists. The cold war is a concept of the past. Neither is Israel the only state in the Middle East. However, there are some politicians who have searched and found the new and more active “cold war”. The result? The War on Terror and the highest security and military spend in recent history.
Make no mistake, in many ways the War on Terror can be justified. Regardless of perceived “blowback” from previous covert CIA actions, regardless of who is the root cause of the threat, the fact is the threat exists and the war is necessary. Regardless of the condemnation of some, this is not a war against any religion, but rather, a war against a virulent extremism that is arguably the greatest threat to world stability there has ever been.
Some people would have the rest of the world believe that Syria is an integral part of this threat. Based on old cold war beliefs, based on the Syrian anti-Israeli stance and therefore by default the perceived anti-American stance, those people who are looking for enemies in their mechanism dedicated to fear and hatred have in the past targeted Syria.
But has the west misunderstood Syria?
Likewise, has Syria misunderstood the west?
There can be little doubt that recruits and armaments have come either from or through Syria to the battleground of Iraq. Whether this was state sponsored or not is a matter of debate.
What is not a matter of debate is the increasing willingness being shown by Syria to take an active and positive role in regional and global events. What is not a matter of debate is the hidden struggle undertaken by Syria – as in most civilised states – against the threat of virulent extremism. For the most part, this struggle has gone unheeded by the west as some areas of the west continues to demonise and label Syria as one of the “axis of evil” states with full scale sponsoring of terrorism.
But has the west misunderstood Syria?
Extremist terrorism is a major threat. It is a major threat because it is fragmenting the world. It is a major threat because it thrives on the fragmenting world. It thrives on disunity and uncertainty. It thrives on fear. It thrives on embedded hatreds and prejudices. Because of this it is a vastly destructive force that will undoubtedly become a lot worse before it can be controlled and diminished.
Global terrorism is a major threat to the stability and growth of the global economy, bringing hardship to many of the vulnerable.
People are starting to wake up to the threat. People are starting to wake up to a changing world order NOT based on US foreign policy, NOT based on fundamentalist extremism. People are starting to wake up to the fact that they have to make a stand against the evils and dangers of global terrorism.
An integral part of this changing world order must be a new way of looking at how the world works. Swept away should be the old perceptions based on cold war tactics that ended a generation ago. Swept away should be the ideology that within the Middle East Israel is sacrosanct and no one has the right to question the motives or methods of Israeli action. Everyone in a civilised world should be accountable. Swept away should be barriers with no sustainable foundation adding to the fragmentation of the world, adding to the destructive force of virulent and violently inhuman extremism.
The world is changing. States who are willing to contribute should be included.
Recent events have shown Syria to be responsible, able and willing to produce a positive outcome with respect to specific events. Recent events have shown Syria to have as much a stability problem with violent religious extremists as many other countries have. Recent events have shown Syria to be able to actively halt terrorist activities, even against its perceived enemies. These events are not small events in the great scheme of things. They are significant progressive steps forward the West ignores at its peril. They are signs that hope is still alive for something good to come out of the otherwise growing chaos.
Only by standing together can the chaos be averted. It can only be averted by responsible governments working together.
The world is changing. Countries are waking up to serious threats.
Yes, Syria may have been an ally to the now historic USSR. Yes, Syria has reason to be against Israel. Yes, Syria may be implicated in prolonging the war in Iraq because it does not want to have another pro-American establishment on its borders. But …what Syria does not want more than all else is the establishment and momentum of out of control terrorism that exists outside the bounds of recognisable humanity - and all the destruction this will cause.
This is an important point.
The world is changing. Old perceptions have to be reviewed in the face of a grave threat. This threat is grave not only for the west. It is grave for many states and communities throughout the world.
Has the west misunderstood Syria? For sure, on exactly the same grounds, Syria has misunderstood the west and – temporarily – the cycle continues. However there are signs of positive change within a highly changeable world.
It may well be that beyond the vociferous hawks of every establishment there is a growing recognition that those who were once enemies can have a valuable joint input into halting the fragmentation of the world so desired by religious extremism. The synergy of working together for the same aim will always be far more powerful than individuals working on their own. Extremism thrives on disharmony. It fuels their fire. It gives them purpose and new recruits. Take that social and state disunity and disharmony away and the fuel that feeds the fire is lessened.
Yes, this is obviously easier said than done. Yet with pro-active, strategic insight it is possible to recognise that Syria has much the same major problem as many other states. It is possible to recognise that Syria has an immense amount of experience, knowledge and skill that can be used to tackle such a major problem in conjunction with other countries.
Recent events have shown not all hope is lost.
It will take someone brave to make the first step towards reconciliation. It will take someone brave to make the first step towards the real solution to the major problem facing the world today. Syria seems to have taken these first steps - and should be welcomed in the spirit of openness and symbiosis.
Does dialogue with Syria fill some people with dread?
Why?
It wasn’t that long ago that Osama bin Laden was considered a significant friend to the west. It wasn’t that long ago that Saddam Hussein was considered a significant friend to the west. And to where did these perceptions lead?
Isn’t it about time the western leaders made proper long term decisions based on collective working, collective aims and benefits – and bring Syria in from the cold in order to help combat a great problem … for everyones benefit?
The world has changed. In a climate when too many amateur mistakes have been made, in the face of a common enemy that seeks only destruction the time is right to make a positive change.
The west has misunderstood Syria just as Syria has misunderstood the west. The world has changed and moved on from old wars. Syria has taken the first steps to heal old harms. The West should respond with maturity and positively.
Written by: JAMES STUART http://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesstuart - new direction and development through innovation
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