they all seem to be working off the same script. like every other embattled arab leader before him, yesterday it was bashar al-assad's turn to give a defiant speech in which he refused to announce the reforms that everyone expected.
i don't know what will happen with syria. it's been a remarkably stable place despite a huge influx of refugees, the loss of its control over lebanon and both american and israeli efforts to destabilize the country. i just think it's funny that every single arab leader gives essentially the same speech in the face of their country's "arab spring." and they keep trying it even though both ben ali and mubarak gave their defiant speech just days before they left power.
i did find these reactions to be interesting: the arabist, juan cole, syria comment 1 syria comment 2, global voices.
i don't know what will happen with syria. it's been a remarkably stable place despite a huge influx of refugees, the loss of its control over lebanon and both american and israeli efforts to destabilize the country. i just think it's funny that every single arab leader gives essentially the same speech in the face of their country's "arab spring." and they keep trying it even though both ben ali and mubarak gave their defiant speech just days before they left power.
i did find these reactions to be interesting: the arabist, juan cole, syria comment 1 syria comment 2, global voices.
