Free Michel Kilo Now - Enough Already

Following the very happy and successful visit of the Newest Syrian Darling Nancy Pelosi who is paving the road for better relations between Syria and the United States which will hopefully result in Syrian-Israeli negotiations by 2010. Also following the patching-up of Syrian-Saudi/Egyptian relations during the Arab Summit of last week. It seems like Syria is finally out of its isolation following the invasion of Iraq in 2003 and the murder of Harriri in Feb 2005 and that is a good step in the right direction.

It seems like the Syrian regime has seven or nine spirits (just like a cat) and does not die, it is expected to last for a long long time. Its major card is Israel…Israel did not care much for instability in Iraq but Syria is too close and is a different issue, it needs to be stable , peaceful and of course its people more or less poor and looking for their daily bread while making sure they don’t endanger their basic freedom. Assad Family had provided all what is needed of them and more by making sure Arabs are always divided and singing different tunes, Syria had always played a hard line approach in politics which might have benefited its rulers but not its people or the region. The Iraqi disaster had been extremely beneficial and prolonged the Syrian regime life for at least 30 years.

I don’t want to go in details but basically Syria is not North Korea or Belarus, it needs to be very active in its region and the World but not in a damaging way. The Syrian regime was worried about its survival so it started creating all kind of troubles in Iraq and Lebanon but that needs to change in order to regain its normal role in the region. Iraq is an easy topic for Syria since It does not want to see it deteriorate further and has build positive relations with most of the factions there. Lebanon current policy needs to be sacrificed, Saudi Arabia and the US need to sweeten the deal, start investing in Syria provided lt leaves Lebanon alone. It seems like the Harriri Tribunal would be vague and inconclusive and won’t touch the main Syrian players.

Most Lebanese politicians and people would be happy with a Peaceful Syria. If the US had decided that the Syrian regime is there to stay then no Lebanese or Syrian player can influence that decision. So as long as Syria get out of Lebanese internal politics and treat all factions fairly then both Syria and Lebanon can develop healthy economical and normal political ties. Everyone would benefit on the long run. Since Syria is the big sister then it needs to show that and open a new page. It is very easy to send the right signals. That would improve not only its relations with Lebanon but with Europe and all the Syrians and Arabs that want to see a prosperous, neutral and tolerant Lebanon.

So the road map for Syrian external policies change is clear and the international community would be happy to reward a Syrian shift. So instead of long hard and slow steps, why not just be bold (like the Syrian troops withdrawal from Lebanon) and ditch its Lebanese policy for great rewards and a better future.

In parallel to that, since the Syrian official opposition is fragmented and helpless, not to mention does not inspire much confidence…why not just give it a little room to breath…after all we are in 2007 and can’t live in the Seventies mentality, it is better to have a public opposition and reforms than for the rulers to rule only with Oppression and fear. I don’t think the Syrian people deep inside want the regime to be replaced, they just need a slightly more open regime that takes the right steps to benefit the people. What was wrong with the Damascus spring of 2000-01? Releasing the political prisoners soon would be a great first signal to Syria and the world.

Wishful thinking but why not…

—-

Update: a Great related Article: Human rights in Syria; Pelosi’s silence