Today's Zaman's Interview with Louay Safi on Syrian Conflict

“We thought the established democracies would support those who are crying out for democracy and freedom. But these countries did not live up to their commitment to democracy and human rights,” said Louay Safi, spokesperson for the Syrian National Coalition -- the only group recognized by countries supporting the opposition as a legitimate representative of the Syrian people -- in an exclusive interview with Sunday's Zaman.

The End of Arab Dictatorship

After three years Syrians are used to defying expectations

Barrel bombs don't kill dreams. Neither do scud rockets, warplanes, tanks or canisters of Sarin gas fired at sleeping children.

Geneva’s Negotiations and Charades

The drive to end dictatorship in Syria is 34-month old, and would soon complete its third year of bloodshed, destruction, and pain. Throughout the 34 months of this bloody conflict, the Assad regime tried to end the uprising by brutal force, insisting on a military solution.

Why we, the Syrian National Coalition, have agreed to peace talks

Syria – as portrayed by unavoidable state television, newspapers and radio – is a land full of loyal citizens who are eternally grateful to their benevolent rulers. There is no corruption, arbitrary arrest or torture. Consequently, everyone is satisfied with their government, which means there is no opposition.

To discriminate or not to discriminate is the Arab American question

The American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), an organization created to fight discrimination against Arab Americans and defend their civil liberties and human rights, has decided to disinvite a Syrian composer and pianist because he chose to present a piece expressing hope for freedom in his homeland, Syria.

The Dawn of Democracy Arrives in Syria

Once again the news coming from Syria is full of pains, disappointments, and hopes. The people of Syria continue their protests against widespread corruption and the lack of freedom and democracy, and they do that at great risk. “Give me freedom or give me death” once proclaimed by Patrick Henry in a speech at the Virginia Convention is repeated daily by Syrian protesters in action rather than in words. The United Nations reported that as many as 850 may have been shot dead while thousands have been arrested by government security.

Blame the truth for Beck’s fall from grace

 
It is now official; Glenn Beck is pushed out of the door by Fox News. While many people are curious about the reasons for Fox management decision to drop Beck and cancel his crazy and fervently charged show, I’ve always wondered why anyone would watch him and listen to his outlandish claims, preposterous accusations, and sensational agitation.

Obama should stay clear of Mubarak’s final sins

After treading cautiously for several days, Hosni Mubarak, the embattled president of Egypt, came out today swinging. In a televised address on the Egyptian Television, Mubarak promised political reform and an official investigation of widespread corruption, and he insisted to do that himself with the help of the same people who are responsible for harboring corruption in the first place.

State of the Union and Obama’s disillusionment with world politics

Has Barak Obama concluded that the state of world is no more relevant to the State of the Union? This question came to my mind as I listened on Tuesday to President Obama concluding his State of the Union remarks without making one reference to the Middle East agenda he spelled out in his Cairo speech in 2009.

The Winds of Democratic Change in the Arab World

The wind of democratic change that struck Ben Ali’s police state in Tunisia is shifting eastward towards Egypt. After decades of corruption and mismanagement, which characterizes the post-colonial Arab regimes in general, the people of Tunisia broke down the glass ceiling that has for long hidden their voices and forced them into a submissive posture. Ben Ali justified his plan to force his countrymen into this unnatural and painful posture by stressing economic prosperity for all. It turned out that the pretense of prosperity was only guaranteed to a small group of well-connected persons around the head of state while the majority of Tunisians, particularly the younger generation, were left out in the cold.