Comments on: Solidarity with Syria

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 29 Aug 2013 19:26:37 +0000

Interesting article but what exactly are you proposing that we support?

The standard anti-imperialistic (Leninist)stance of the Left of old is simplistic in the extreme – hence the Left’s profound confusion around confronting fascistic Islamist groups in this country – who are you supporting and how?

Regarding the two strongest sides in this civil war, I do not see any progressive element at all, ditto Egypt too (where some have been calling for the MB to be supported!). What these cases illustrate is how dated and irrelevant a lot of standard Left thinking is and how it is ultimately reactive rather than proactively engaging and supporting trade union groups, women, gays, progressive groups etc.

I look forward to reading your next pieces and thank-you.

By: TJH

TJH — Wed, 28 Aug 2013 13:53:57 +0000

I’d like to know what the practical steps are that you allude to in the article that we can take in solidarity to support like minded activists in Syria.

Could you please give readers some examples.

By: Troy

Troy — Sat, 24 Aug 2013 14:59:09 +0000

Well said K Crosby. Obama has called chemical weapons a red line. The danger is that interference by the west may well be a red line for China and Russia. We have never been so close to a clash of superpowers and the end of the planet. Anything which might bring the two sides together, leading to a ceasefire and negotiations – that’s the only humane solution to any conflict.

By: Brian S.

Brian S. — Wed, 21 Aug 2013 16:25:51 +0000

Great work, Eva. Those of us who try to defend the cause of the Syrian revolution in left circles often feel rather lonely – so its great to have you with us. And with such an adventurous initiative!
There is a lot of misinformation and muddled reasoning on Syria circulating around the left, as the comments here demonstrate. The Syrian conflict is undeniably complex (what real-life historical process is not) but the basic elements are fairly clear: it began as a struggle for freedom and democracy against a brutally repressive dictatorship.And that core reality is very much alive today, whatever other external forces have subsequently inserted themselves into the conflict.
I look forward to Eva’s further articles. On her return perhaps we can discuss some sort of project to educate the British left on this crucial issue.

By: bevin

bevin — Sat, 10 Aug 2013 02:40:50 +0000

There is both a racist and an extremely nasty sectarian aspect to the “struggle” which Eva, and presumably Red Pepper, would have us support.

Whatever the line up of forces was two years ago the current situation is very clear: Bandar bin Sultan, the Gulf despots, Jordan, the United States, Israel and NATO are on one side, preaching hatred of the Shia, and practising barbaric terrorism against all who will not conform with wahhabi dictates, form the core of the anti-government forces.

What the “left” needs to learn is to leave other peoples alone: Syria does not need western assistance, its had it for the past century and it would be happy to be left alone. The “left” also needs to recognise that, as it doesn’t have the power to save the NHS or slow down the assault on living standards, in Europe, the only power it has in Syria or Libya is to cheer for the imperialist murder machine.
And that is what it seems to be doing: calling for more weapons, more trainers, more money (all diverted from the welfare state)to be handed over to Al Nusra, Assad’s jealous cousins, the mob blowing up crowds in Baghdad and Uncle Sam’s other assets.

By: Pham Binh

Pham Binh — Sat, 10 Aug 2013 02:05:55 +0000

Great piece. 100% agreed on the left scabbing on the Syrian revolution in the name of “anti-imperialism.” The Syrian revolution forced me to change my mind on Libya and expand my understanding of what solidarity means (not isolationism but internationalism).

I’ve written quite a bit about this topic:
http://www.thenorthstar.info/?p=1097
http://www.thenorthstar.info/?p=8118
http://www.thenorthstar.info/?p=1896
http://www.thenorthstar.info/?p=4884

I’m proud to say that The North Star has stood out alone among left outlets as a platform for pro-revolution voices and first-hand reports:
http://www.thenorthstar.info/?p=2528
http://www.thenorthstar.info/?p=8438
http://www.thenorthstar.info/?p=2813
http://www.thenorthstar.info/?p=5278 (this is a report written by the German solidarity activist Ewa mentions in her text)

[email address removed by web editor on request]

By: K Crosby

K Crosby — Fri, 09 Aug 2013 07:32:25 +0000

Come off it! The popular resistance was hi-jacked by Caesar Obama five minutes after it got started. The decent anti-Assad resistance should keep its head down and be ready to defend itself if the Obama stooges win, because they will be next.

By: B Newman

B Newman — Thu, 08 Aug 2013 17:35:42 +0000

I’ve been concerned with a lack of ‘solidarity’ from the left with ongoing and developing crisis in Syria for a long time. I have debated within left-wing groups, and I have written to the Newspaper, The Weekly Worker’, that is read by a large section of the British left about the humanitarian crisis. Unfortunately there is a lot of propaganda that suggests that the media is misreporting, because it is imperialist. There is no argument for ‘solidarity’ with violent groups in Syria, because these aren’t representing the traditional views of the worker, and class orientated organisations of the left. There is however an urgent need for solidarity with the civilians, and the non-violent movement in Syria opposing fascist extremist forces.

By: Will Podmore

Will Podmore — Thu, 08 Aug 2013 14:49:59 +0000

So why does our reactionary government support and arm those fighting President Assad?
Why does that most reactionary of all governments, Saudi Arabia’s, support the ‘rebels’?
Why does the CIA arm them? Why is the SAS training them?