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The Ways of Syria

Summary --

As Washington considers a rapprochement with Bashar al-Assad’s Syria, Itamar Rabinovich’s commanding new book makes clear that change will not come quickly or easily -- and, if the past is any indication, it may not come at all.

Comments

The ways of Itamar Rabinovich and Fouad Ajami

Submitted by Ali K. (Apr. 30, 2009) on May 3, 2009 - 6:13pm.

I wonder if Professor Ajami and Itamar Rabinovich will change their mind after The Special Tribunal for Lebanon ordered on Wednesday the release of four Lebanese generals held without charge since 2005 on suspicion of involvement in the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. You have accused the Syrian regime and its closet Lebanese satraps according to Mr. Detlev Mehlis report, but you forgot to mention that Detlev Mehlis inquiry into the murder of Lebanon's former Prime Minister Rafiq Hairri depends on a central witness, Zuhir Mohamed Said Saddik, who has faced accusations of being a swindler and embezzler.
All of Mr. Mehlis successors agreed that Zuhir Mohamed Said Saddik is unreliable witness but both of you ignored that fact because it doesn't suit your objectives

There are few countries except Syria who benefited the most from the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and what happened after it

Syria

Submitted by Aly-Khan S. (Mar. 28, 2009) on May 8, 2009 - 11:41pm.

Dear Fouad,

Have you read Patrick Seale's biography of Assad the Elder? Have you read Seymour Hersch's recent piece about Assad the Younger in the New Yorker?
Both give a different nuance.

Certainly the c21st is a new terrain, a new landscape.

I think you totally underestimate Bashar's ability to navigate it.

Aly-Khan Satchu
www.rich.co.ke

As an aside, which current regime in the Islamic World do you profess to admire?

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