Assad's Eureka Moment: Vladimir Putin And Bashar Al-Assad Welcome Any And All Al-Qaeda Attacks, Real Or Imagined Or Fabricated
25 May 2013
By Mshari Al-Zaydi
In Bashar Al-Jaafari's latest speech, Assad's
ambassador to the UN focused on the threat of
extremism to Syria. He claimed that the Assad regime
is a protector of tolerance and a bulwark against
extremism.
We are well aware of such false protestations, and I
am looking here not just at Jaafari, but also his
president Bashar Al-Assad. Prior to Jaafari's speech
before the UN, Assad had taken part in a television
interview with the Alikhbaria Syria satellite channel
following a significant period during which he was
absent from the Arab media. His appearance brought to
mind Archimedes's famous cry of "Eureka" as the Syrian
president sought to use the recent announcement of the
merger of Al-Qaeda and Jabhat Al-Nusra to continue
attempts to portray those fighting against the
Damascus regime as being the same terrorists
threatening western capitals with violence. Assad
emphasized that this confirmed that his regime is in
the right, and indeed has been right from the start.
While deputy Syrian Foreign Minister, Faisal Miqdad,
claimed that there is no way that Syria can remain
unified if Assad is toppled; he also said that the
Arabs and West are being "stupid" by supporting the
Syrian rebels, particularly as Jabhat Al-Nasra number
among them.
This "generosity" to the media on the part of Assad
regime officials, and this avid focus on the issue of
terrorism, particularly Al-Qaeda, attempting to
portray all of the Syrian opposition in this light,
demonstrates that the Damascus regime has managed to
catch its breath. This was clear from Assad's
description of the situation today as "better" than it
was at the start of the crisis. During this interview,
Assad blamed the west for supporting Al-Qaeda and
terrorists in Syria, saying that it would pay the
price for this support in the heart of Europe and
America.
It is understood that this is all a political maneuver
on the part of the Assad regime, which is trying to
exploit the moment. Assad wants to tell the West that
he is standing with them against Islamic extremism.
Of course, this is a lie. The Bashar Al-Assad regime,
despite its lack of religious features at home, has
repeatedly gotten into bed with Al-Qaeda. We all
recall how Bashar Al-Assad's Syria served as a
way-station and gathering point for Al-Qaeda fighters
on their way to Iraq. We also know who "created" the
Shaker Al-Abssi armed extremist group in Lebanon, not
to mention other similar incidents.
We all recall Iran's cunning use of Al-Qaeda in its
regional and international battles, not to mention how
the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corp (IRGC) harbored
Al-Qaeda leadership figures. The last such figure was
Kuwaiti-born Suleiman Abu Ghaith, and it may also take
some time until we can discover what role Iran is
playing in the Jabhat Al-Nasra gambit in Syria.
Does this mean that there is no threat from Islamic
extremism or Al-Qaeda in Syria?
Of course not, for this is a real and present danger,
but it is important to note that the Assad regime's
discourse in this regard is a political maneuver,
nothing more, and it is not telling the whole truth.
We have heard such claims on numerous occasions before
the arrival of Jabhat Al-Nusra on the scene; what is
happening in Syria today is the result of the
international community's negligence since the
beginning of the crisis, not to mention the lack of
Arab support and assistance for the opposition. The
Syrian crisis has doubled due to this failure, and we
are seeing Assad's violent and brutal practices being
turned against the regime, and so he is now getting a
taste of his own medicine.
There are huge levels of frustration and anger at the
"ignorance" and naïveté of Washington's position
towards the Syrian crisis, not just today, but for a
number of years. This is an anger that is being felt
by a majority of Arabs, and this has even reached
politicians in Washington, like Republican senator and
former presidential candidate John McCain who has
repeatedly expressed his anger at the Obama's
administration's failure to end the Syrian crisis.
Therefore Vladimir Putin and Bashar Al-Assad welcome
any and all Al-Qaeda attacks, real or imagined or
fabricated, as this only serves to strengthen their
position. This is not to mention the Iranian Guide Ali
Khamenei, who is watching the entire scene unfold from
Tehran.
A Saudi journalist and expert
on Islamic movements and Islamic fundamentalism as
well as Saudi affairs. Mshari is Asharq Al-Awsat's
opinion page Editor, where he also contributes a
weekly column. Has worked for the local Saudi press
occupying several posts at Al -Madina newspaper
amongst others. He has been a guest on numerous news
and current affairs programs as an expert on Islamic.
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EsinIslam.Com
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