It is striking how impotent Russia and Iran have proven to be at the pivotal moment in Syria.
Perhaps the most important lesson people should take away from the past two weeks is that we should not rely on "expert" assessments. We would be much better served by ditching the narratives on all sides and focusing on what is actually happening.
Kudos to you, Peter, for probably one of the best assessments on this topic. Factual, grounded, and as the kids say these days, “based”.
Two factors that are likely to play a role, yet are almost impossible to quantify: the ancient animosity between the Arab world and the Turks, and Syria’s drug trafficking. Assad reportedly was involved in drug trafficking, so what happens to those streams of income? The new people in charge now have power and they are likely to e tempted by wealth to enjoy it. In other words, the soap-opera shenanigans are just beginning!
A sobering assessment, Peter Nayland Kusk. Yet, it is surprising how much we do know. The weeks ahead will prove to be very valuable indeed.
Ukraine may be the biggest part yet.
It is striking how impotent Russia and Iran have proven to be at the pivotal moment in Syria.
Perhaps the most important lesson people should take away from the past two weeks is that we should not rely on "expert" assessments. We would be much better served by ditching the narratives on all sides and focusing on what is actually happening.
Kudos to you, Peter, for probably one of the best assessments on this topic. Factual, grounded, and as the kids say these days, “based”.
Two factors that are likely to play a role, yet are almost impossible to quantify: the ancient animosity between the Arab world and the Turks, and Syria’s drug trafficking. Assad reportedly was involved in drug trafficking, so what happens to those streams of income? The new people in charge now have power and they are likely to e tempted by wealth to enjoy it. In other words, the soap-opera shenanigans are just beginning!