Syria’s silent purge

A few weeks ago, Kate wrote presciently here on Passport that Syria’s Bashar al-Assad was the real winner during the current Iran debacle, evading the international community’s notice as he cracked down on dissenters. In fact, Assad has taken the opportunity and run with it, jailing a prominent human rights attorney and political journalists in ...

608477_assad8.jpg
608477_assad8.jpg

A few weeks ago, Kate wrote presciently here on Passport that Syria's Bashar al-Assad was the real winner during the current Iran debacle, evading the international community's notice as he cracked down on dissenters. In fact, Assad has taken the opportunity and run with it, jailing a prominent human rights attorney and political journalists in the last several weeks. Their major offense: Signing the May 12 Damascus-Beirut Declaration, a document endorsed by hundreds of Lebanese and Syrian journalists and intellectuals calling for Syria to normalize relations with Lebanon.

A few weeks ago, Kate wrote presciently here on Passport that Syria’s Bashar al-Assad was the real winner during the current Iran debacle, evading the international community’s notice as he cracked down on dissenters. In fact, Assad has taken the opportunity and run with it, jailing a prominent human rights attorney and political journalists in the last several weeks. Their major offense: Signing the May 12 Damascus-Beirut Declaration, a document endorsed by hundreds of Lebanese and Syrian journalists and intellectuals calling for Syria to normalize relations with Lebanon.

Simon Tisdall, in today’s Guardian, explains how Assad is getting away with it

Explanations of the regime’s new bullishness lie largely beyond its embattled borders and, paradoxically, owe much to US policy choices. Washington’s enthusiasm for regional democracy was tempered by Hamas’ election victory in Palestine. The ensuing crisis there has in any case distracted attention from Syria, as has nascent civil war in Iraq. And then there is Iran, America’s next big thing.

Isolating Tehran means inducing Syria, one of its few Arab allies, to stand back. Though it would not admit it, Washington needs Mr Assad.

Carolyn O'Hara is a senior editor at Foreign Policy.

More from Foreign Policy

The USS Nimitz and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and South Korean Navy warships sail in formation during a joint naval exercise off the South Korean coast.
The USS Nimitz and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and South Korean Navy warships sail in formation during a joint naval exercise off the South Korean coast.

America Is a Heartbeat Away From a War It Could Lose

Global war is neither a theoretical contingency nor the fever dream of hawks and militarists.

A protester waves a Palestinian flag in front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, during a demonstration calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. People sit and walk on the grass lawn in front of the protester and barricades.
A protester waves a Palestinian flag in front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, during a demonstration calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. People sit and walk on the grass lawn in front of the protester and barricades.

The West’s Incoherent Critique of Israel’s Gaza Strategy

The reality of fighting Hamas in Gaza makes this war terrible one way or another.

Biden dressed in a dark blue suit walks with his head down past a row of alternating U.S. and Israeli flags.
Biden dressed in a dark blue suit walks with his head down past a row of alternating U.S. and Israeli flags.

Biden Owns the Israel-Palestine Conflict Now

In tying Washington to Israel’s war in Gaza, the U.S. president now shares responsibility for the broader conflict’s fate.

U.S. President Joe Biden is seen in profile as he greets Chinese President Xi Jinping with a handshake. Xi, a 70-year-old man in a dark blue suit, smiles as he takes the hand of Biden, an 80-year-old man who also wears a dark blue suit.
U.S. President Joe Biden is seen in profile as he greets Chinese President Xi Jinping with a handshake. Xi, a 70-year-old man in a dark blue suit, smiles as he takes the hand of Biden, an 80-year-old man who also wears a dark blue suit.

Taiwan’s Room to Maneuver Shrinks as Biden and Xi Meet

As the latest crisis in the straits wraps up, Taipei is on the back foot.