The ongoing Syria situation has brought the world in to debate. The grand countries are choosing sides, promises are made and threats are fired. Behind the approach of United States, the delicate position of Turkey and the curse of the Assad family, there is a humane scene that is disappearing in vain. This article reflects what we have and what we are losing.
One of the main players in Syria tragedy is United States; decision of an intervention has pushed US in to the lead role. As the acts start to unfold, I believe that the interference should not be military focused. United States working diplomatically with the countries that support Assad’s departure and creating a financial fund to assist the reconstruction of Syria after this period would benefit Syria’s diplomatic advance in the long run. After giving up substantial casualties in Libya during the 1980s and the failure of democratization attempts in the last decade, United States cannot afford another eastern warfare. The earth should not scorch with red, white and blue bombs as another nation is left crippled in the name of justice and democracy. If there is going to be an intervention it should be in a civilized fashion in order to withdraw the violence from Syria, not to bring it. You don’t start a war to end a war.
As a Turkish citizen, during the time where domestic disputes are rising rapidly, the only thing I hope is to be away from war, as far as possible. Dealing with authoritarian problems inside the borders, Turkey’s involvement with Syria will turn the fragile and knotty history between the two countries in to worse chapters. From the annexation of Hatay to Turkey in 1930s through Syria’s support of terrorist forces of PKK and ASALA, relations between neighbours have always been troubled. A mid-eastern clash would be skating on thin ice; additionally Turkey has enough constitutional problems itself. Prime Minister Erdogan continues to stand tall in adversary, supporting any democratic movement as long as it is outside of Turkey. From Egypt to Syria, PM portrays a Sultan-like image that supports freedom in all Muslim and eastern countries while there is little left back at home. He chants for equality but doesn’t distribute any. Religious views outshine the meaningful choices and the country image starts to shift from European to Arabic. In this period of time, war will divide Turkey deeper. For the sake of any further internal bleeding, violence should be avoided.
For Syrians, suffering only increased since the beginning of the Assad’s reign and the family has been spinning dark webs on Syria. Hafez al-Asad came to power in 1970s and for decades he ruled the nation with rage and its people with no tolerance. His son and the current Syrian president, Bashar al-Assad took over in 2000, inheriting the right to regulate millions. The youngest son, Maher al-Assad is the head of Republican Guard, in other words the whole army is also under the control of the Assads. Bashar’s first cousin Rami Makhlouf is probably the wealthiest men in Syria, holding a monopoly in communication by controlling Syria’s main cell phone operator. It is definitely time for a change in Syria, people has witnessed enough of the same household. The malign acts of violence, inequality and corruption have pushed them over the edge and they are in need of a humanitarian society. Inside their broken homes, every family in Syria remembers Assads while Assads has no regard for Syrian families. A generation rules while generations die.
As a government continues its laborious regime and other states argue through complicated loop holes, the one thing that is simple on every land is death. The awful common acknowledgement of death creates its transparency. It has become so daily; we have all got accustomed to it. The countries are described as hefty dark chess pieces moving towards each other; ‘United States decides to intervene’, ‘Russia sides with Syria’. They are shaking the earth while the concept of life is forgotten. Countless lost individuals are pushed aside as nations weep, burst with exhaustion but the names carry on. No one grasps the fact that ‘United States’, ‘Syria’, ‘Iran’ involve millions of lives which are not only branded by their citizenship. For an infant hiding under her mother’s chest, gasping for air, the sound of an US missile is no different than a Turkish Fighting Falcon or a Syrian grenade. Sorrow creates a path over her dusty soul and it’s not the marks of democracy. While we discuss Russia, United States, Turkey, France, Britain, their policies, their leaders, no one really seems to recognize the loss of humanity. In an age where modernization and civilization is unstoppable, loss of lives has become a number on feasibility calculations. We are losing our ability of empathy and witnessing pain has become universal while experiencing it remains personal. The value of human life is dropping rapidly and what’s right or wrong regarding human life, has now become debatable.
A nation is on the verge of its climax and decisions will be made. Plans will be launched, so called justice will be claimed. Gloriously portrayed leaders will choose a path and drag millions in to it. Victories will be established over financial surpluses, border policies will be reconsidered. Some will come out as winners; the others will be announced losers. None of them will matter.
As long as there is a child cornered on the battlefield, eyes blasting with fear, we will all lose. As long as we use bullets to wipe off tears, we will all fail.