Taking sides in the Syrian uprising makes about as much sense as rooting for the SS over the SA, or vice versa. The al-Assad family regime could aptly be compared to a contemporary version of the SS. It is organized, well trained for handling crises, and backed by virtually unlimited funding. The protesters, meanwhile, are Arab descendants of the SA. They are a rudderless group, anything but trained soldiers, and either short on or operating without cash.
The al-Assad forces offer governmental stability; something always needed in the Middle East. The protesters offer citizen activism; something that always leads to horrible chaos in their region. The status quo promises a moderately secular rule with various Jihadist factions kept under strict containment. The rebels have no known plan of government. Their supporters, including the notorious Muslim Brotherhood, most certainly do, though. For a preview of this, one need only look at what has taken place in Tunisia post-revolution.
Nonetheless, the neo-SS and its neo-SA counterpart share one ideology: anti-Semitism. Neither would like to see the technologically progressive, comparatively affluent, and stridently functioning state of Israel remain in existence. Because Israel is the West’s only plausible ally in the Mideast, both factions have absolutely nothing positive to offer the free world.
However, they are teaching the free world this: stop trying. Stop trying to impose liberal democratic ideals on traditional populations. Stop trying to make individual rights and liberties desirable to men and women who reflexively despise such things as a result of lifelong conditioning by an all-powerful class of tyrants. Most of all, stop trying to create an illusion in which millions stuck in medieval times want to suddenly join the twenty-first century. Stop. Do not waste time or money on such pipe dreams.
The Arab world has a certain way of doing things; it is deeply mystical, tribalist, and militant and has been for well over a thousand years. Can anyone honestly say that countries which entered their current forms, at most only a few centuries ago, are going to turn everything around? The only type of person I could imagine being prone to such naiveté is an ivory tower-dwelling, pseudo intellectual university professor or student. As far as the rest of us are concerned, it is best to wake up and smell the coffee.
What is occurring in Syria is simply history repeating itself. It is not the international community’s fight, so why should its leading powers intervene? Let Syria solve its own problems, one way or the other. In the end, the chips will fall where they may, but Western society should emerge unscathed.
Could it honestly ask for anything more?