It may surprise many that unlike in some other Arab states Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has held out against rebel forces for so long. After a long silence, he has justified his violent crackdown and rallied his supporters, calling the Opposition puppets of the West. He has demanded an end to the alleged arming of terrorist groups by foreign powers. If only his demand is met will his army halt its operations and his government will approach Opposition elements for a national dialogue. Thereafter elections can be held and a new cabinet formed. The Syrian National Coalition (SNC) backed by Western and some Arab powers has rejected Assad’s proposal. The US state department has said that the proposal is detached from reality. UN estimates put casualties in the Syrian hostilities at 60,000. Besides, thousands have become hapless refugees. During the crisis which erupted in March 2011, the Assad regime has survived with firepower combined with inside and outside support. The minorities and the Baathists in Syria together with the Security Forces are on its side. Russia and China continue to back Assad and have vetoed a UN Security Council resolution for intervention. While the Opposition has captured most of northern and eastern Syria, Damascus still is in government’s hands.
UN envoy Lakhdar Brahimi’s efforts to settle matters have proved abortive. The government is a strong coalition while the Opposition is divided. Even if Assad goes, reconstruction of devastated Syria will be a very difficult job. The chemical weapons in the country may go out and destabilize West Asia. Assad suggests a political situation but depends on the military. The crisis has underlined one fact. Russia is no longer an appendage of the US as its veto at the UNSC showed. President Putin is taking an independent stand on other issues relating to the US. Does it presage a stirring of bipolarity?
