Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Guardian Video: Syrian rebels 'shoot down' helicopter near Aleppo
"Amateur footage purports to show the moment Syrian rebels fire at a government helicopter near Aleppo on Monday. The helicopter can be seen burning in the sky before crashing to the ground, reportedly at Menakh air base, 25 miles north of Aleppo. This footage has not been independently verified by the Guardian."
Syria: Unlawful Missile Attacks Kill More Than 140
Recent Escalation of Tactic Threatens Civilians
Human Rights Watch
"(Kilis) – The Syrian government launched at least four ballistic missiles that struck populated areas in the city of Aleppo and a town in Aleppo governorate during the week of February 17, 2013. The attacks killed more than 141 people, including 71 children, and caused immense physical destruction.
The extent of the damage from a single strike, the lack of aircraft in the area at the time, and reports of ballistic missiles being launched from a military base near Damascus overwhelmingly suggest that government forces struck these areas with ballistic missiles. Human Rights Watch visited the four attack sites, all in residential neighborhoods. Human Rights Watch found no signs of any military targets in the vicinity of any of the four sites, which would mean that the attacks were unlawful.
“I have visited many attack sites in Syria, but have never seen such destruction,” said Ole Solvang, emergencies researcher at Human Rights Watch, who visited the sites. “Just when you think things can’t get any worse, the Syrian government finds ways to escalate its killing tactics.”
Human Rights Watch compiled a list of those killed from cemetery burial records, interviews with relatives and neighbors, and information from the Aleppo media center and the Violations Documentation Center, a network of local activists....."
Human Rights Watch
"(Kilis) – The Syrian government launched at least four ballistic missiles that struck populated areas in the city of Aleppo and a town in Aleppo governorate during the week of February 17, 2013. The attacks killed more than 141 people, including 71 children, and caused immense physical destruction.
The extent of the damage from a single strike, the lack of aircraft in the area at the time, and reports of ballistic missiles being launched from a military base near Damascus overwhelmingly suggest that government forces struck these areas with ballistic missiles. Human Rights Watch visited the four attack sites, all in residential neighborhoods. Human Rights Watch found no signs of any military targets in the vicinity of any of the four sites, which would mean that the attacks were unlawful.
“I have visited many attack sites in Syria, but have never seen such destruction,” said Ole Solvang, emergencies researcher at Human Rights Watch, who visited the sites. “Just when you think things can’t get any worse, the Syrian government finds ways to escalate its killing tactics.”
Human Rights Watch compiled a list of those killed from cemetery burial records, interviews with relatives and neighbors, and information from the Aleppo media center and the Violations Documentation Center, a network of local activists....."
المعارضة السورية تشارك في مؤتمر روما
FLIP FLOP AGAIN!
MR. FLIP FLOP KARZAI
"غير الائتلاف الوطني لقوى المعارضة والثورة السورية رأيه وقرر المشاركة في مؤتمر أصدقاء سوريا الذي سيعقد في روما الخميس المقبل، مبررا ذلك بتلقيه وعودا أميركية بريطانية بدعم الشعب السوري، في حين شككت واشنطن في دعوة النظام السوري للحوار
...." Syria opposition agrees to attend Rome summit
"غير الائتلاف الوطني لقوى المعارضة والثورة السورية رأيه وقرر المشاركة في مؤتمر أصدقاء سوريا الذي سيعقد في روما الخميس المقبل، مبررا ذلك بتلقيه وعودا أميركية بريطانية بدعم الشعب السوري، في حين شككت واشنطن في دعوة النظام السوري للحوار
...." Syria opposition agrees to attend Rome summit
Monday, February 25, 2013
Al-Jazeera Video: Empire - Iraq to Mali: The changing calculus of war
Hosted by Marwan Bishara
"It has been 10 years since the US-led invasion of Iraq, which marked a turning point in the West's so-called war on terror. The pretext of the Iraq war was security and freedom, but the bombastic and openly pronounced objective was no less than remaking the greater Middle East region. For the US, Iraq became a quagmire and a humiliation - a strategic and moral failure that the country has spent the last four years trying to forget. As Africa now becomes the new front line in the 'war on terror', Empire asks: have the Europeans learned from America's mistakes?"
"It has been 10 years since the US-led invasion of Iraq, which marked a turning point in the West's so-called war on terror. The pretext of the Iraq war was security and freedom, but the bombastic and openly pronounced objective was no less than remaking the greater Middle East region. For the US, Iraq became a quagmire and a humiliation - a strategic and moral failure that the country has spent the last four years trying to forget. As Africa now becomes the new front line in the 'war on terror', Empire asks: have the Europeans learned from America's mistakes?"
Obama’s Israel Trip
Ignore the Hype. It’s Four More Years of Settlement
Growth
By Jonathan Cook
CounterPunch
"......Meanwhile, Israel has repeatedly undermined Abbas’s rule, and kept his PA close to collapse, by turning on and off one of its major sources of income — tax monies Israel regularly collects on behalf of the Palestinians and is supposed to pass on.
As a result, Abbas is trapped between various pressures impossible to reconcile: the need to keep Israel happy, to maintain legitimacy with his own people and to foster a shared political agenda with other Palestinian factions.
The sticks that Israel wields force Abbas to keep the door open to negotiations even as most Palestinians recognise their utter pointlessness. Likewise, his constant need to appease Israel and the US serves only to widen differences with Hamas.
The Palestinians are stuck in a political and diplomatic cul-de-sac, unable to move forward either with the development of their national struggle or with talks on viable statehood. Whatever Obama’s intentions, the reality is that this will be another four years of diplomatic failure."
Third Intifada?? Israel fears new Palestinian uprising could erupt
"SE'EER, West Bank (Reuters) - Masked Palestinian gunmen fired in the air on Monday as thousands marched at the West Bank funeral of a prisoner whose death in an Israeli jail has raised fears in Israel of a new uprising.
Arafat Jaradat's death on Saturday and a hunger strike by four other Palestinian inmates have raised tension in the occupied territory after repeated clashes between stone-throwers and Israeli soldiers in recent days.
Israeli troops, on high alert, took up positions outside Jaradat's home village of Se'eer, in likely earshot of the bursts of automatic fire from the half-dozen masked Palestinians in full battle dress.
"We sacrifice our souls and blood for you, our martyr!" mourners chanted.
The sounds and fury were reminiscent of the seven-year Intifada, or uprising, that started in 2000 after Israeli-Palestinian peace talks failed.
Israeli Homeland Minister Avi Dichter cautioned that another uprising could begin if confrontations with Palestinian protesters turned deadly...."
Egypt: Amend Draft Demonstrations Law
Bill Restricts Right to Assembly, Invites Abuse
"(New York) – The government-proposed draft law in Egypt concerning public demonstrations would severely limit the right to peaceful public assembly and is open to abuse by police, Human Rights Watch said today in a letter to the president and the Justice Ministry.
The letter outlines concerns with the draft law in light of Egypt’s human rights obligations and international legal standards, and urges the government to make amendments. The Justice Ministry drafted the “Law on the Protection of the Right to Peacefully Demonstrate in Public Places.” The cabinet approved the final draft on February 12, 2013, and submitted the bill to the Shura Council, Egypt’s legislative body, on February 17.“This law as drafted would severely restrict one of the key human rights that determine Egyptians’ ability to continue to call for bread, freedom, and social justice,” said Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East and North Africa director at Human Rights Watch. “Governments have a right to regulate demonstrations, but not to ban them for spurious reasons or to keep them out of sight and sound of every government building.”....."
Sunday, February 24, 2013
Prisoner was tortured before dying in Israeli jail, says Palestinian Authority
Death of
30-year-old man sparks violent clashes in Hebron that leave three Palestinians
and one Israeli soldier injured
"A Palestinian prisoner whose death in Israeli custody fanned violent clashes
across the West Bank over the weekend was tortured before he died, the
Palestinian Authority has said.
The results of an autopsy conducted in Tel Aviv were revealed at a press conference in Ramallah on Sunday evening after a day of angry protests across West Bank and Gaza in which dozens were injured.
The findings contradict claims by the Israeli prison service that Arafat Jaradat died on Saturday from a cardiac arrest. A Palestinian doctor's investigations found that while Jaradat's arteries were clear, his bruised and bloody body suggested he had been beaten in the days before his death.
The 30-year-old, a petrol station worker and father of two, was arrested on 18 February in relation to a stone-throwing incident in November during which an Israeli was slightly injured.
Aside from an old back injury inflicted by a teargas canister, his relatives insist he was healthy when he was arrested.
Just a few days later, he died in Megiddo prison..
Kameel Sabbagh, a lawyer who attended Jaradat's last hearing on Thursday, has claimed that he had advised the Israeli Judge that his client had been tortured and should be examined by the prison doctor. According to Sabbagh, this did not happen.
"He had serious pains in his back and other parts of his body because he was being beaten up and hanged for many long hours while he was being investigated," Sabbagh told Ma'an news agency. Sabbagh's notes from the court hearing describe his client as "extremely afraid" of returning to his cell.
A rumour that he had been beaten to death during an interrogation spread quickly through Hebron on Sunday where hundreds of protesters clashed with Israeli soldiers for the second day running in the streets kilometres from Jaradat's home.
"When the soldiers came to arrest him last week, they told him say goodbye to your wife and your babies, you won't be seeing them again,"....."
Israel demands Palestinian Authority curb protests
"(Reuters) - Israel on Sunday demanded the Palestinian Authority stem a surge of anti-Israeli protests ahead of U.S. President Barack Obama's visit to the region next month.
A senior aide to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas gave no indication the Authority, which exercises limited self-rule in the occupied West Bank, would issue any call for calm, and blamed Israel for the spike in unrest.
The death in an Israeli jail of a Palestinian detainee on Saturday and an on-going hunger strike by four inmates have fuelled tensions in the West Bank, where stone-throwing protesters clashed again with Israeli soldiers on Sunday.
Some 3,000 prisoners held a one-day fast on Sunday after the detainee's death, which Israel said was caused by a heart attack, an explanation challenged by Palestinian officials.
"Israel has conveyed to the Palestinian Authority an unequivocal demand to calm the territory," an Israeli government official said, adding the message was delivered by one of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's top aides.
As an apparent incentive to Palestinian leaders to intervene, Israel pledged to proceed with this month's transfer to the Authority of around $100 million in tax revenues that it collects on its behalf........"
Democracy Tastes Bitter as Poverty Bites
"- On a recent Friday, coppersmith Alaa Moussa parked himself in the same spot where two years earlier he had stood defiantly with a handwritten banner addressed to then president Hosni Mubarak. His petition that cold February morning in 2011 had listed the key demands of Egypt’s 18-day uprising: “bread, freedom, dignity”.
His new message for President Mohamed Morsi from the Muslim Brotherhood reflected the growing desperation among the nation’s poor and unemployed. It simply stated: “bread, bread, bread.”.....
The President’s supporters argue that it could take years to purge institutions and repair the economic damage from the Mubarak regime’s 29-year rule. Critics, however, accuse Morsi of mismanaging the economy and putting the Muslim Brotherhood’s political agenda ahead of fiscal prudence.
“The Muslim Brotherhood is only interested in the poor when they need votes,” says Shahin. “They have no experience running a country or setting economic policy, and their failures at both are destroying Egypt.”
Deteriorating economic conditions have created a backlash not just against the Islamists, but against the democratic process itself. Many Egyptians who supported the 2011 uprising have begun questioning its outcome.
“Of course I’m disappointed,” says Umm Farouk. “The revolution was supposed to make our lives easier. Everything is going backwards.”"
في معنى أن تكون سوريا محافظة إيرانية
"صدم رئيس "مركز عمّار الإستراتيجي" لمكافحة الحرب الناعمة ضد إيران -هكذا- مهدي طائب، وهو رجل دين بارز مقرب من مرشد الجمهورية الإسلامية خامنئي، الرأي العام العربي والعالمي عندما صرح بأن سوريا تعتبر المحافظة الـ35 من المحافظات الإيرانية، بل إنها أهم في نظره من محافظة الأهواز التي تحتوي على 90% من الاحتياط النفطي الإيراني. والسبب، حسب ما ذكر، أن إيران لو فقدت الأهواز واحتفظت بسوريا فبإمكانها أن تستعيدها لكنها لو خسرت سوريا فلن تستطيع أن تحتفظ بطهران.
هذا بالتأكيد اعتراف خطير. وهو يعني أن السيطرة على سوريا تشكل الركيزة الرئيسية لنظام إيران وللخامنئية التي تقوده، وأن الحفاظ على هذه السيطرة وأداتها، نظام الأسد، شرط للحفاظ على الجمهورية الإسلامية وحكم النخبة الدينية التي قامت عليه. وهذا يعني أن علينا أن نتوقع صراعا مريرا مع إيران الخامنئية وليس مع الأسد فحسب، قبل أن نحرر بلادنا من حكم الطغمة القاتلة ونتحرر مما يحتمل أن يتحول إلى احتلال أو استعمار إيراني بالمعنى الكلاسيكي للكلمة.
......
مرض القومية المتطرفة، المقنعة برداء الدين، لن يحل أي مشكلة من مشاكل إيران، ولن يخلص نظامها من أزمته، ولكنه سيجر على شعوب المنطقة جميعها، وأولها الشعوب الإسلامية والعربية والإيرانية، القتل والدمار والخراب. والخيار الوحيد لإنقاذ شعوبنا من خطر العنصرية القومية هو التحالف بين جميع الشعوب الإيرانية والإسلامية لتحطيم نظم القهر والقمع والاستبداد والعمل لتشكيل إطار إقليمي للتعاون والتضامن والأمن الجماعي يضع حدا لأوهام ومشاريع الهيمنة والسيطرة الإمبريالية، المحلية والعالمية، التي تحولت في عصرنا إلى مشاريع سطو مسلح على مصائر الشعوب ومصادرة لمستقبلها وأمل فتيانها وشبابها وأحلامهم الإنسانية.
"
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Friday, February 22, 2013
Al-Jazeera Video: New camp for Syria refugees already crowded
"Turkey has opened its sixteenth camp for Syrian refugees, located just 18 kilometers from its border with Syria. Harran camp was initially designed to hold 10,000 people, but within weeks of opening, it is already holding around 12,000. Al Jazeera's Nisreen El-Shamayleh reports from the camp."
Syria: Activist Dies in Jail, Second Feared Dead
Grant Independent Monitors Access to Detention Facilities
"(New York) – A peaceful activist who had been helping local committees deliver aid died in detention in Syria on February 16, 2013. A second detainee died in detention in November, a released detainee recently told his family. The reported deaths highlight the urgent need for the UN Security Council to require the authorities in Syria to grant international monitors immediate and unhindered access to all detention facilities.
Omar Aziz, 64, the peaceful activist, died on February 16 in Harasta military hospital, a relative told Human Rights Watch. A released detainee provided information about the possible second death of Ayham Ghazzoul, 26, a human rights activist in Military Intelligence branch 215 in Kafr Suseh, Damascus in November 2012. Security Forces had detained both activists in November.
“Aziz’s death, and Ghazzoul’s feared death are yet another reminder of the need to immediately lift the veil of secrecy over Syria’s prisons,” said Sarah Leah Whitson Middle East director at Human Rights Watch. “How many more deaths in custody before the Security Council requires Syria to open up its detention centers?”....."Egypt hits 'new low' on NGO restrictions
"A move by Egyptian authorities to prohibit national NGOs’ contact with foreign organizations without prior permission from security bodies represents a new low for freedom of association, said Amnesty International.
In a letter to the NGO the Egyptian Organization for Human Rights, Egypt’s Ministry of Insurance and Social Affairs stated that no “local entity” is permitted to engage with “international entities” in any way without the permission of the “security bodies”, referring to instructions issued by the Prime Minister.
Amnesty International has obtained a copy of the letter. The vague language on “international entities” is likely to include both international human rights organizations and UN bodies.
“NGOs in Egypt already face staggering restrictions, but this instruction is a new low,” said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui, Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for the Middle East and North Africa. “It is a disturbing indicator of what may lie ahead for human rights groups in the government’s new law.”....."
Supplying the Tools of Oppression: Egypt imports 140,000 teargas canisters from US
Al-Masry Al-Youm
"In January, the Interior Ministry ordered the import of 140,000 teargas canisters from the United States at a cost of LE17 million.
Letters between Interior Ministry and Defense Ministry officials revealed that the order was made to address the country’s shortage of teargas after months of violent clashes between police and protesters.
When the shipment was delayed via sea, the Defense Ministry was asked to transfer the shipment by military jet, according to a 30 January letter from Major General Osama Ismail, head of the Interior Ministry’s department of information and public relations, to Staff Brigadier General Mohamed Farid Hegazy, secretary general of the Defense Ministry.
“In light of the ongoing incidents and growing need for gas bombs to deal with rioters and preserve the nation’s safety, Al-Guindy Company for Imports and Exports, a representative of the US Combined System Company in Egypt, has been contracted to import 70,000 gas bombs and 70,000 long-range gas projectiles from the US to Egypt,” the letter stated......"
"In January, the Interior Ministry ordered the import of 140,000 teargas canisters from the United States at a cost of LE17 million.
Letters between Interior Ministry and Defense Ministry officials revealed that the order was made to address the country’s shortage of teargas after months of violent clashes between police and protesters.
When the shipment was delayed via sea, the Defense Ministry was asked to transfer the shipment by military jet, according to a 30 January letter from Major General Osama Ismail, head of the Interior Ministry’s department of information and public relations, to Staff Brigadier General Mohamed Farid Hegazy, secretary general of the Defense Ministry.
“In light of the ongoing incidents and growing need for gas bombs to deal with rioters and preserve the nation’s safety, Al-Guindy Company for Imports and Exports, a representative of the US Combined System Company in Egypt, has been contracted to import 70,000 gas bombs and 70,000 long-range gas projectiles from the US to Egypt,” the letter stated......"
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Real News Video: Disabled in Gaza
Disabled people in Gaza fight for their rights, proving they are producers not consumers amid ignorance from the local authorities
Sharif Abdel Kouddous: 2 Years into Uprising, Bahrain Feels Like a "Nation Under Occupation"
Democracy Now!
"Democracy Now! correspondent Sharif Abdel Kouddous joins us to discuss his recent trip to Bahrain, where the Sunni monarchy continues its crackdown on a two-year-old uprising. Since February 2011, at least 87 people have died at the hands of U.S.-backed forces. While talks are taking place this week between the Bahraini government and opposition groups, several of Bahrain’s leading human rights defenders remain imprisoned. "Bahrain had the feeling of a country under occupation," Kouddous says of his visit. "There was helmeted riot police in full armor wielding shotguns, tear gas, sound grenades, deployed around villages outside of the capital. There was helicopters buzzing overhead conducting surveillance. ... Many people lament there, from the opposition movement, that they have been forsaken by the international community and forgotten by the world’s media for this uprising that doesn’t get a lot of attention."....."
"Democracy Now! correspondent Sharif Abdel Kouddous joins us to discuss his recent trip to Bahrain, where the Sunni monarchy continues its crackdown on a two-year-old uprising. Since February 2011, at least 87 people have died at the hands of U.S.-backed forces. While talks are taking place this week between the Bahraini government and opposition groups, several of Bahrain’s leading human rights defenders remain imprisoned. "Bahrain had the feeling of a country under occupation," Kouddous says of his visit. "There was helmeted riot police in full armor wielding shotguns, tear gas, sound grenades, deployed around villages outside of the capital. There was helicopters buzzing overhead conducting surveillance. ... Many people lament there, from the opposition movement, that they have been forsaken by the international community and forgotten by the world’s media for this uprising that doesn’t get a lot of attention."....."
Guardian Video: George Galloway: 'I don't debate with Israelis'
"George Galloway walks out of a debate at Christ Church college at Oxford University on Thursday. He was speaking for the motion that 'Israel should withdraw immediately from the West Bank'. When the Respect MP for Bradford West learned that Eylon Aslan-Levy, a student opposing it, was an Israeli citizen, he leaves, saying 'I don't debate with Israelis'...."
The Muslim Brothers Proving to be Worse Than Mubarak: Hamas condemns destruction of smuggling tunnels to Gaza
Al-Masry Al-Youm
"Hamas condemned Egypt's decision to flood smuggling tunnels linking Sinai and Gaza, according to a statement Thursday.
"The movement reviewed the issue of the destruction of tunnels with Egyptian officials and hopes that officials in Egypt understand the situation in Gaza and the need for these tunnels," Hamas leader Salah al-Bardaweel said.
Closing tunnels without providing an alternative method for Gazans to get necessary supplies hurts Palestinian families, said Bardaweel, who expressed his hope that Egypt would cease such activities.
“[Smuggling] has been forced on us because of the tight restrictions on the Palestinian people,” Bardaweel said. “[Tunnels] represent an exceptional case that resulted from blockade.”
Palestinian groups have also voiced their anger over the past two weeks in the wake of the country’s crackdown on tunnels between Sinai and the Gaza Strip. Egyptian authorities flooded the tunnels with wastewater [Muslim Brothers Approved!].
Sources inside the occupied territory said the crackdown did not have a significant effect on smuggling activities, but caused the closure of about 20 tunnels and raised fears that there would be more tunnel crackdowns in the future.
Egyptian authorities did not coordinate with authorities in Gaza, said Bardaweel, adding that Hamas supports destroying tunnels between Sinai and Gaza if the embargo on goods into the Strip is lifted or an alternative is implemented.
Armed Forces spokesperson Ahmed Mohamed Ali stressed Thursday that the military would continue operations in Sinai, including the closure of border tunnels, to protect national security......"
"Hamas condemned Egypt's decision to flood smuggling tunnels linking Sinai and Gaza, according to a statement Thursday.
"The movement reviewed the issue of the destruction of tunnels with Egyptian officials and hopes that officials in Egypt understand the situation in Gaza and the need for these tunnels," Hamas leader Salah al-Bardaweel said.
Closing tunnels without providing an alternative method for Gazans to get necessary supplies hurts Palestinian families, said Bardaweel, who expressed his hope that Egypt would cease such activities.
“[Smuggling] has been forced on us because of the tight restrictions on the Palestinian people,” Bardaweel said. “[Tunnels] represent an exceptional case that resulted from blockade.”
Palestinian groups have also voiced their anger over the past two weeks in the wake of the country’s crackdown on tunnels between Sinai and the Gaza Strip. Egyptian authorities flooded the tunnels with wastewater [Muslim Brothers Approved!].
Sources inside the occupied territory said the crackdown did not have a significant effect on smuggling activities, but caused the closure of about 20 tunnels and raised fears that there would be more tunnel crackdowns in the future.
Egyptian authorities did not coordinate with authorities in Gaza, said Bardaweel, adding that Hamas supports destroying tunnels between Sinai and Gaza if the embargo on goods into the Strip is lifted or an alternative is implemented.
Armed Forces spokesperson Ahmed Mohamed Ali stressed Thursday that the military would continue operations in Sinai, including the closure of border tunnels, to protect national security......"
Israel, Palestine and the Oscars
By Amy Goodman
Egypt rights groups allege rising police brutality
"CAIRO (AP) — Egyptian rights groups alleged Wednesday that police abuse and brutality are on the rise in detention centers and at demonstrations, which have intensified since the second anniversary of the uprising that ousted longtime leader Hosni Mubarak.
More than a dozen groups charged in a statement that police were reverting back to the systematic torture that prevailed under Mubarak's autocratic regime. "Some of the crimes have even gone beyond that," the statement said.
The groups hold President Mohammed Morsi, Egypt's first elected leader after Mubarak's ouster, responsible for failing to stop or condemn such practices. They called on him to sack his interior minister, who oversees the police, and try him in connection with the deaths of nearly 60 protesters since last month across Egypt......"
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Think there's no alternative? Latin America has a few
Not only have
leaders from Ecuador to Venezuela delivered huge social gains – they keep
winning elections too
"Ever since the crash of 2008 exposed the rotten core of a failed economic model, we've been told there are no viable alternatives. As Europe sinks deeper into austerity, governing parties of whatever stripe are routinely rejected by disillusioned voters – only to be replaced by others delivering more welfare cuts, privatisation and inequality.
So what should we make of a part of the world where governments have resolutely turned their back on that model, slashed poverty and inequality, taken back industries and resources from corporate control, massively expanded public services and democratic participation – and keep getting re-elected in fiercely contested elections?
That is what has been happening in Latin America for
a decade......"
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Monday, February 18, 2013
This Syrian Karzai is Really Stupid! The US Should Keep Him in Washington and the Opposition Should Dump Him!
"اسطنبول ـ (يو بي اي) اعتبر رئيس الإئتلاف الوطني السوري لقوى الثورة والمعارضة، معاذ الخطيب، أن تشكيل حكومة انتقالية في سوريا مع تنحي الرئيس بشار الأسد، يمكن أن تكون خطوة لإعادة هيكلة البلاد، نافياً حصول أي لقاء أو اتصال مع أية جهة رسمية من النظام، سواء أكان بشكل مباشر، أم غير مباشر.
وقال الخطيب، في حوار أجرته معه وكالة "الأناضول" في إسطنبول، اليوم الإثنين، إن البعض ظن أن المبادرة التي أطلقها، تمتّ بناء على اتفاق سابق أو لاحق مع النظام، مؤكداً أن "الإئتلاف لن يجري شيئاً، إلا تحت ضوء الشمس".
ولفت إلى أنه "إذا كانت هذه السلطة تريد أن تتخذ قراراً عاقلاً ولمرة واحدة، وتبحث عن هموم الشعب ومعاناته ومطالبه، فيمكن بالاتفاق مع بقية أعضاء الائتلاف، أن يكون هناك تفاوض سلمي، من أجل رحيل النظام وترتيب ذلك".
وأضاف أنه "إذا أراد النظام المضي قدماً في المبادرة، فليمنح حرية للشعب، ويقيم حكومة مؤقتة يعطيها صلاحيات كاملة، تبدأ بإعادة هيكلة الأجهزة الأمنية المتوحشة، وتكون مفتاحاً للحل، تحت رعاية وضمانة دولية"، مجدداً تأكيده بأن "الائتلاف لم يفكر أبدا، ولم يعط أي ضمانات من أجل بقاء الأسد، وهناك اتفاق بذلك".
وأكد الخطيب "عدم وجود خلاف على أن رحيل الأسد هو مطلوب، ولكن طريقة الرحيل بحاجة إلى ترتيب، ولا تتم بليلة وضحاها، والبعض من المعارضة يعتقد أن مجرد ذكر هذه الكلمة يكفي لإنجاز حل سياسي، لكن هذا جزء من عملية سياسية تؤدي إلى انتقال سلمي للسلطة، توفر الدماء والخراب على الشعب، والأساس هو هل النظام مستعد للدخول في عملية تفاوضية توفر مزيد من القتل والدماء أم لا؟".
وقال إن النظام "ماطل واحتال من أجل امتصاص المبادرة وتفريغها كعادته، والمطلوب كان بسيطا جدا وهو إطلاق سراح المعتقلين وفي مقدمتهم النساء"، لافتاً إلى أن الهيئة السياسية للائتلاف اجتمعت ووجدت أن أي حل يساهم في رحيل النظام بشكل تفاوضي يحقن دماء المواطنين، ويمنع مزيداً من الخراب في البلاد، فلا مانع بذلك ضمن هذه المحددات مع استمرار الثورة.
وأشار إلى أن الائتلاف ينتظر ردود فعل المجتمع الدولي التي لم تتبلور بعد.
وشدد الخطيب على أن مبادرته "إنسانية محضة، بسبب معاناة الشعب الشديدة، وتدق ناقوس الخطر بأن الشعب السوري، يجب أن يعطى حقه"، مضيفاً أن "المبادرة لم تكن مطالبها عسكرية أو سياسية، بل هي أمور إنسانية إن تحققت استفاد الناس منها، وان لم تتحقق تكشف حقيقة النظام، بأنه لا يستجيب لأبسط الأمور الإنسانية".
وتابع قائلاً "بالأساس لم يكن هناك سجال سياسي، إنما أمر إنساني حاول النظام المماطلة فيه كعادته"، مشيرا إلى أن موضوع المبادرة لقي صدى من قبل الناس، بسبب حاجتهم إلى من يتفهم قضيتهم التي يعيشونها"، متهماً المجتمع الدولي، بأنه لا ينظر للمسألة من ناحية إنسانية.
....."
Hezbollah condemned for 'attack on Syrian villages'
The Syrian National Council (SNC) said Hezbollah fighters attacked three villages near the Lebanese border in support of the Syrian government.
Hezbollah said three Lebanese Shia were killed in the clashes. Hezbollah has consistently denied it has sent its members to fight for the Syrian regime.
The UN meanwhile has said human rights abuses in Syria have got worse.
In a report issued on Monday, a UN-appointed inquiry team said the conflict had become "increasingly sectarian... radicalised and militarised", according to AFP news agency.
The panel said war crimes by both sides were growing, although it said abuses by rebels were not on the same scale as those committed by government forces.
UN human rights investigator Carla del Ponte said it was time the UN Security Council referred the issue of war crimes to the International Criminal Court.
EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels renewed sanctions - including an arms embargo - against Syria, whilst agreeing to provide more non-lethal support to rebels "for the protection of civilians".
However they did not go as far as easing the arms ban on those fighting the Syrian regime, as Britain had wanted.
Last week, the UN said it estimated 70,000 people had been killed in the conflict since the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad began nearly two years ago.
The Muslim Brothers Are Worse Than Mubarak: Hamas official condemns flooding of Gaza tunnels by Egyptian authorities
Hamas official slams Egyptian officials for flooding tunnels between Gaza and
Egypt, describing the act as a renewal of Israel's blockade
Ahram Online
"Hamas released a statement Saturday condemning the Egyptian government for flooding tunnels connecting Egypt to the Gaza Strip, reported AFP.
Ahram Online
"Hamas released a statement Saturday condemning the Egyptian government for flooding tunnels connecting Egypt to the Gaza Strip, reported AFP.
Khalil El-Haya, a senior Hamas official, said at a conference in Gaza
that the tunnels were the only means way by which Palestinians could face
Israel's "brutal blockade."
He added that people in Gaza consider Egypt's new policy of shutting
down the tunnels as a renewal of Israel's blockade imposed on Gaza since
2006.
Last week, Reuters reported that Egyptian forces flooded smuggling
tunnels under the border with the Gaza Strip in an attempt to close them down.
Egyptian and Palestinian officials confirmed the report.
The network of tunnels is a vital lifeline for Gaza, bringing in an
estimated 30 percent of all goods that reach the enclave and circumventing a
blockade imposed by Israel for more than seven years."
Ahram Online editor says Brotherhood drove him out of institution
Al-Masry Al-Youm
"Prominent journalist Hani Shukrallah said the current Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated administration of the country’s flagship paper Al-Ahram has driven him out of the institution.
"Prominent journalist Hani Shukrallah said the current Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated administration of the country’s flagship paper Al-Ahram has driven him out of the institution.
In a note published on his Facebook page, Shukrallah — the former
editor-in-chief of English-language website Ahram Online — said, “The deed is
done: the MB has now fulfilled its resolve to drive me out of Ahram.”
Shukrallah added that the Brotherhood administration of the institution started with cutting his own salary in half, and later forced him into early retirement. Finally, the administration cut his salary by two-thirds.
He also said his connection with Ahram Online, which he established, is not that clear, since the administration of the institution left this matter to the future new editor.
“The object of course is humiliation,” Shukrallah said.
Al-Ahram, founded as a daily newspaper in 1875, has transformed into a gigantic press institution with about 15 publications, including two dailies, seven weekly editions and three monthly publications.
Traditionally, it is perceived as the mouth or the ruling regime, but some fear that even after the 25 January revolution, the new Al-Ahram administration is trying to transform the newspaper into a Brotherhood mouthpiece — particularly after the appointment of Mamdouh al-Wali, who is seen as pro-Brotherhood, as Al-Ahram chairperson.
Wali was among several Brotherhood sympathizers who have been appointed to top positions in state-owned media outlets. He is also head of the Journalists Syndicate, and was appointed by President Mohamed Morsy to the Shura Council.
Wali faced several criticism from journalists in particular when he refused to leave the constitution-drafting assembly last year, despite the syndicate’s promise to remove its representative amid accusations of unfair representation.
Shukrallah is a former member of the Social Democratic Party, former editor-in-chief of Ahram Weekly, former editorial board member of the privately owned Al-Shorouk newspaper, and executive director of the Heikal Foundation for Arab Journalism.
He served as Ahram Weekly’s editor-in chief for nearly 14 years, from 1991 to 2005."
Shukrallah added that the Brotherhood administration of the institution started with cutting his own salary in half, and later forced him into early retirement. Finally, the administration cut his salary by two-thirds.
He also said his connection with Ahram Online, which he established, is not that clear, since the administration of the institution left this matter to the future new editor.
“The object of course is humiliation,” Shukrallah said.
Al-Ahram, founded as a daily newspaper in 1875, has transformed into a gigantic press institution with about 15 publications, including two dailies, seven weekly editions and three monthly publications.
Traditionally, it is perceived as the mouth or the ruling regime, but some fear that even after the 25 January revolution, the new Al-Ahram administration is trying to transform the newspaper into a Brotherhood mouthpiece — particularly after the appointment of Mamdouh al-Wali, who is seen as pro-Brotherhood, as Al-Ahram chairperson.
Wali was among several Brotherhood sympathizers who have been appointed to top positions in state-owned media outlets. He is also head of the Journalists Syndicate, and was appointed by President Mohamed Morsy to the Shura Council.
Wali faced several criticism from journalists in particular when he refused to leave the constitution-drafting assembly last year, despite the syndicate’s promise to remove its representative amid accusations of unfair representation.
Shukrallah is a former member of the Social Democratic Party, former editor-in-chief of Ahram Weekly, former editorial board member of the privately owned Al-Shorouk newspaper, and executive director of the Heikal Foundation for Arab Journalism.
He served as Ahram Weekly’s editor-in chief for nearly 14 years, from 1991 to 2005."
Twenty-First Century Imperialism: Militarism, Collaborators And Popular Resistance
By James Petras
"Introduction: The configuration of 21st century imperialism combines patterns of exploitation from the past as well as new features which are essential to understanding the contemporary forms of plunder, pillage and mass impoverishment. In this paper we will highlight the relatively new forms of imperial exploitation, reflecting the rise and consolidation of an international ruling class, the centrality of military power, large scale long-term criminality as a key component of the process of capital accumulation, the centrality of domestic collaborator classes and political elites in sustaining the US – EU empire and the new forms of class and anti-imperialist struggles......
Today the struggle against imperialism is first and foremost a class struggle against the local collaborators: domestic politicians and business people who extract and transfer the wealth of a people to the imperial centers. Undermining the collaborators world-wide is already a work in progress.Conservatives, liberals,and social democratic collaborators in Europe have lost credibility and legitimacy – the task of the mass movements is to organize for state power.
The imperial offensive in Africa and Asia rests on unreliable mercenary armies and corrupt rulers: as the imperial armies retreat, their collaborator rulers will collapse.And out of the ruins, new anti-imperialist states will eventually emerge......"
"Introduction: The configuration of 21st century imperialism combines patterns of exploitation from the past as well as new features which are essential to understanding the contemporary forms of plunder, pillage and mass impoverishment. In this paper we will highlight the relatively new forms of imperial exploitation, reflecting the rise and consolidation of an international ruling class, the centrality of military power, large scale long-term criminality as a key component of the process of capital accumulation, the centrality of domestic collaborator classes and political elites in sustaining the US – EU empire and the new forms of class and anti-imperialist struggles......
Today the struggle against imperialism is first and foremost a class struggle against the local collaborators: domestic politicians and business people who extract and transfer the wealth of a people to the imperial centers. Undermining the collaborators world-wide is already a work in progress.Conservatives, liberals,and social democratic collaborators in Europe have lost credibility and legitimacy – the task of the mass movements is to organize for state power.
The imperial offensive in Africa and Asia rests on unreliable mercenary armies and corrupt rulers: as the imperial armies retreat, their collaborator rulers will collapse.And out of the ruins, new anti-imperialist states will eventually emerge......"
الثورة السورية مستمرة
A VERY GOOD PIECE
"ما يبدو واضحاً هو أن الأمور تسير نحو ضعف السلطة وسقوطها، والمتابع لكل النشاط الدولي يتلمس خوفاً من نهاية السلطة، لهذا تصاعد دور المبادرات والحديث عن حلول، وحتى التخويف من أجل قبول حل "وسط".
ما يقوله الإبراهيمي، وتهدد به روسيا، وتلمح إليه طهران يصب في هذا المساق. لكن الأمر لا يتوقف عند هؤلاء، بل إن الدول الإمبريالية تتدخل لكي تشوّش على ما تعتقد أنه توافق روسي أميركي. من تركيا التي تريد أن تعيد مجد علاقتها ببشار الأسد بعد أن أصبح مهدداً بالضياع مع سقوط النظام، لهذا تحاول أن تجد "البديل" من بعض أطراف المعارضة، لكنها تحاول كذلك التشويش على كل حل ممكن يتجاوزها.
وفرنسا حاولت التدخل وتشكيل "كادر" يخصها يمكن أن يصبح جزءا من السلطة الجديدة،
لكنها كما يبدو أحست بأن الأمور قد تجاوزتها فزحفت على مالي لكي تعوّض خسارتها. رغم
أن الحوار حول سوريا بات، كما يبدو، منحصراً في أميركا وروسيا. أميركا التي يتراجع
وضعها العالمي، وتحاول أخذ ما يفيدها في إستراتيجيتها الجديدة بعيداً عن المنطقة.
وروسيا تعمل جاهدة على كسب ما حققته بدعمها السلطة في المحافل الدولية وعلى تثبيته
في التقاسم الجديد للعالم.
لكن ليس كل ذلك هو المهم، وربما كان هذا هو الهامش في الصراع الكبير الذي يجري. فما يبدو هو أن السلطة تتراجع، وهي في تراجعها تميل إلى ممارسة التدمير الشامل بالقوى التي ظلت بحوزتها، وخصوصاً الطيران والمدفعية والصواريخ.
ويظهر أنها لم تعد تستحوذ على قوى عسكرية كافية لفرض سلطتها على الأرض، حتى في دمشق العاصمة. بالتالي فهي تمارس الانتقام من شعب تمرّد عليها، ويريد رحيلها. وهو أمر لا يقوم به سوى الذي بات مقتنعاً بأنه انتهى.
لهذا يلجأ إلى النصف الآخر من المعادلة التي طرحها: "الأسد أو نحرق البلد" (أو بشكل آخر: "الأسد أو لا أحد"). الممارسة العسكرية على الأرض تقول بذلك، رغم أن كل المجهودات الإقليمية تنصبّ لخدمة استمراره عبر "تخريب" الثورة وتحويلها إلى صراع طائفي، وأصوليات حاكمة في مناطق تراجعت سلطة الدولة عنها بفعل قوة الشعب ذاته.
لكن السؤال الذي يطرح على ضوء كل ذلك هو: لماذا إذن تستمر السلطة، ولا يبدو أن الثورة قادرة على إسقاطها؟ ولماذا تظهر الثورة وكأنها في مأزق، وأن استعصاءً بات يحكم الوضع؟ هناك التدخلات "الخارجية"، ولا يتوقف الأمر عند روسيا وإيران اللتين تدعمان السلطة، حتى بما هو عملي، بل إن دولاً "إقليمية" باتت تتدخل لفرض تحويل في طبيعة الصراع، عبر فرض قوى أصولية تصبح هي الثورة.
لكن الخطر هنا يتمثل في "العقل الطائفي" الذي يمكن أن يتوافق مع منطق السلطة التي عملت منذ البدء على استثارة صراع طائفي لكي تضمن تماسك "الأقليات" خلفها، وهنا نشير بالتحديد إلى العلويين الذين لتمردهم قوة الحسم في هذا الصراع كما تعتقد السلطة. وبالتالي تتحول الثورة من ثورة شعب ضد سلطة مستبدة ونهابة إلى صراع بين طوائف تقف السلطة حكماً بينها، أو تستجير، وهي تسقط، بطوائف لكي تبقى.
وهناك الدول الإمبريالية القديمة التي تعمل على تغذية الصراع دون السماح بحسمه، وهي لا تريد التدخل ولا الدعم العسكري بالضبط، لأنها ترى أن السلطة تفعل ما فعلت أميركا في العراق، أي التدمير والقتل. وهي تريد استمرار هذا الصراع لكي تسمح للسلطة بأن تدمر أكثر، بغض النظر عن النتائج التالية. وكما أشرنا، بعضها يساوم في سوريا لكي يحصل في مكان آخر، والبعض يشوش لأنه يعتقد أنه بات خارج التقاسم، أو لكي يحصل على "شيء ما" في هذا التقاسم.
لهذا نجد أن الثورة تواجه ليس السلطة فقط، بل كل الوضع الدولي، كما تواجه دولا تريد فشل الثورة لأنها تتخوّف من انتقالها إليها. وأيضاً أطراف المعارضة، خصوصاً الأصوليين الذين يعملون من الآن على فرض "سلطتهم" ومنطقهم، وإصباغ الثورة بصبغتهم، التي هي معيق لتطور الثورة وانتصارها، نتيجة تنفير قوى الثورة، وتمكين السلطة.
مع ضعف السلطة نلمس العفوية التي تحكم قوى الثورة، والتشتت الذي تعيشه، والتنافس
الذي يربكها، والميل لفرض سلطة هذا الطرف أو ذاك. وتدخلات المعارضة لـ"شراء" هذه
الكتيبة أو تلك، أو هذه القوة أو تلك. وخلال كل ذلك تصبح المناطق التي باتت تعتبر
"محررة" مشاعاً لاستبداديين جدد ومرتزقة وعصابات، و"أزلام السلطة"، وكلها تعمل باسم
الثورة والجيش الحر.
لهذا يبدو أنه يجب أن تقدم إستراتيجية جديدة، تنطلق من حتمية انتصار الثورة، وتعتمد على الشعب، وتعزز العمل المسلح. فالوضع بات يفرض بشكل حتمي ذلك، لكي لا يعم اليأس من جهة، أو يستغل الوضع من أجل زيادة الصراعات في إطار الثورة لتفتيتها، وإنجاح سياسة تحويلها إلى صراع طائفي. ومن أجل أن يصبح أفق الانتصار واضحاً. لهذا يجب أن يترسخ ما يلي:
1- إن المناطق التي تلاشت سلطة الدولة عنها بقوة ونشاط الشعب، وبالكثير من الشهداء، يجب أن تدار من قبل لجان يختارها الشعب، وأن تصبح هذه اللجان هي المسؤولة عن كل الوضع بما في ذلك الأمن والإدارة وتنظيم الحياة.
2- أن يعود الحراك الشعبي كقوة فاعلة بعد أن تراخى، سواء نتيجة الميل المبالغ فيه نحو العمل المسلح أو نتيجة الضرورة التي فرضها التهجير الكبير لملايين السوريين، وانغماس كثير من الناشطين في مساعدة هؤلاء المهجرين.
3- أن الثورة التي انطلقت من خلال التظاهر، وهزت السلطة، ثم تحوّلت إلى العمل المسلح، يجب أن تعيد التوازن بين هذا وذاك، وأن تعود ثورة شعبية يدعمها السلاح. وأن يسقط مبدأ "التحرير" الذي هو جزء من إشكالية الاستعصاء القائم، على ضوء نقص السلاح والمال، وضعف الخبرة، وغياب الإستراتيجية العسكرية الواضحة. ولكي تنتصر الثورة لا بد من أن يظل الحراك الشعبي جوهرياً.
4- إن مبدأ "التحرير" الذي تطرحه بعض القوى المسلحة لا يفي بالغرض، على العكس يسهّل زيادة التدمير والقتل، إذ إن هذا الشكل من الصراع يفترض دعم الحراك الشعبي بالسلاح وليس التحول إلى عمل مسلح معزول، وينطلق من السيطرة على المدن والقرى في وضع تستطيع السلطة فيه التدمير الأقصى والأقسى. في وضع يتسم بتملك السلطة لقوة نيران هائلة قادرة على التدمير الشامل. هذا الشكل غير مناسب في إطار ميزان القوى القائم، حيث يجب أن تبقى قوة الشعب هي الأساس لكي يتحقق الانتصار.
5- كل ميل طائفي هو خطوة نحو تدمير الثورة، وكل سعي لفرض منطق أيديولوجي طائفي على الثورة وحصرها فيه هو تدمير لها. لهذا لا بد من عزل كل من يعمل على فرض هذا الميل.
6- يجب التركيز على كسب العسكريين، والعمل على أن يتحرك الجيش كجيش ضد السلطة التي تتحكم بالقرار الآن، خصوصاً بعد أن باتت معظم قطاعاته "محتجزة" في معسكرات بعد أن بات الجنود والضباط محتقنين وقابلين للانشقاق. لهذا لا بد من نشاط فاعل في هذا السياق. كما يجب كسب كل المترددين أو المتخوفين والخائفين، فهم من يمكن أن يساعد على كسر قوة السلطة، خصوصاً مناطق الساحل.
7- لا بد من تنظيم العمل المسلح وتوحيده، وأيضا تنظيم القوى الفعلية لتشكيل
قيادة سياسية عسكرية للثورة.
8- أخيراً يجب أن يكون واضحاً أن الهدف الأساسي هو بناء دولة علمانية ديمقراطية، وتحقيق مطالب المفقرين والمهمشين من خلال تغيير النمط الاقتصادي خدمة لمصالح هؤلاء. الثورة انطلقت من أجل ذلك ويجب أن تحقق ذلك، دون التفاف أو مناورة أو تهميش. وأن أي تغيير لا يمس هذه المسائل، التي هي الجوهرية، سوف يبقي الثورة مستمرة، لأنها في أساسها هي ثورة اجتماعية، وإنْ ظهرت بمظهر سياسي (بمعنى إسقاط النظام السياسي وتأسيس دولة ديمقراطية)، أو حاولت القوى الليبرالية حصرها في هذا المستوى السياسي، أو أيضاً حاولت القوى الأصولية إلباسها "جلباباً" وإطلاق لحيتها.
هذه خطوات باتت ضرورية من أجل انتصار قريب، ولتجاوز كل التدخلات الدولية واللعب الإمبريالي، ولفتح الطريق لامتداد الثورة إلى البلدان العربية الأخرى بعد أن كانت قد بدأت بتونس وامتدت إلى مصر والبحرين واليمن وليبيا. فلا شك في أن انتصار الثورة السورية سوف يفتح طريقاً واسعاً لثورات تغيّر الواقع الذي عملت الإمبريالية والنظم الاستبدادية على فرضه طيلة العقود الماضية
"ما يبدو واضحاً هو أن الأمور تسير نحو ضعف السلطة وسقوطها، والمتابع لكل النشاط الدولي يتلمس خوفاً من نهاية السلطة، لهذا تصاعد دور المبادرات والحديث عن حلول، وحتى التخويف من أجل قبول حل "وسط".
ما يقوله الإبراهيمي، وتهدد به روسيا، وتلمح إليه طهران يصب في هذا المساق. لكن الأمر لا يتوقف عند هؤلاء، بل إن الدول الإمبريالية تتدخل لكي تشوّش على ما تعتقد أنه توافق روسي أميركي. من تركيا التي تريد أن تعيد مجد علاقتها ببشار الأسد بعد أن أصبح مهدداً بالضياع مع سقوط النظام، لهذا تحاول أن تجد "البديل" من بعض أطراف المعارضة، لكنها تحاول كذلك التشويش على كل حل ممكن يتجاوزها.
| حاولت فرنسا التدخل وتشكيل "كادر" يخصها يمكن أن يصبح جزءا من السلطة الجديدة في سوريا، لكنها أحست بأن الأمور قد تجاوزتها فزحفت على مالي |
لكن ليس كل ذلك هو المهم، وربما كان هذا هو الهامش في الصراع الكبير الذي يجري. فما يبدو هو أن السلطة تتراجع، وهي في تراجعها تميل إلى ممارسة التدمير الشامل بالقوى التي ظلت بحوزتها، وخصوصاً الطيران والمدفعية والصواريخ.
ويظهر أنها لم تعد تستحوذ على قوى عسكرية كافية لفرض سلطتها على الأرض، حتى في دمشق العاصمة. بالتالي فهي تمارس الانتقام من شعب تمرّد عليها، ويريد رحيلها. وهو أمر لا يقوم به سوى الذي بات مقتنعاً بأنه انتهى.
لهذا يلجأ إلى النصف الآخر من المعادلة التي طرحها: "الأسد أو نحرق البلد" (أو بشكل آخر: "الأسد أو لا أحد"). الممارسة العسكرية على الأرض تقول بذلك، رغم أن كل المجهودات الإقليمية تنصبّ لخدمة استمراره عبر "تخريب" الثورة وتحويلها إلى صراع طائفي، وأصوليات حاكمة في مناطق تراجعت سلطة الدولة عنها بفعل قوة الشعب ذاته.
لكن السؤال الذي يطرح على ضوء كل ذلك هو: لماذا إذن تستمر السلطة، ولا يبدو أن الثورة قادرة على إسقاطها؟ ولماذا تظهر الثورة وكأنها في مأزق، وأن استعصاءً بات يحكم الوضع؟ هناك التدخلات "الخارجية"، ولا يتوقف الأمر عند روسيا وإيران اللتين تدعمان السلطة، حتى بما هو عملي، بل إن دولاً "إقليمية" باتت تتدخل لفرض تحويل في طبيعة الصراع، عبر فرض قوى أصولية تصبح هي الثورة.
لكن الخطر هنا يتمثل في "العقل الطائفي" الذي يمكن أن يتوافق مع منطق السلطة التي عملت منذ البدء على استثارة صراع طائفي لكي تضمن تماسك "الأقليات" خلفها، وهنا نشير بالتحديد إلى العلويين الذين لتمردهم قوة الحسم في هذا الصراع كما تعتقد السلطة. وبالتالي تتحول الثورة من ثورة شعب ضد سلطة مستبدة ونهابة إلى صراع بين طوائف تقف السلطة حكماً بينها، أو تستجير، وهي تسقط، بطوائف لكي تبقى.
وهناك الدول الإمبريالية القديمة التي تعمل على تغذية الصراع دون السماح بحسمه، وهي لا تريد التدخل ولا الدعم العسكري بالضبط، لأنها ترى أن السلطة تفعل ما فعلت أميركا في العراق، أي التدمير والقتل. وهي تريد استمرار هذا الصراع لكي تسمح للسلطة بأن تدمر أكثر، بغض النظر عن النتائج التالية. وكما أشرنا، بعضها يساوم في سوريا لكي يحصل في مكان آخر، والبعض يشوش لأنه يعتقد أنه بات خارج التقاسم، أو لكي يحصل على "شيء ما" في هذا التقاسم.
لهذا نجد أن الثورة تواجه ليس السلطة فقط، بل كل الوضع الدولي، كما تواجه دولا تريد فشل الثورة لأنها تتخوّف من انتقالها إليها. وأيضاً أطراف المعارضة، خصوصاً الأصوليين الذين يعملون من الآن على فرض "سلطتهم" ومنطقهم، وإصباغ الثورة بصبغتهم، التي هي معيق لتطور الثورة وانتصارها، نتيجة تنفير قوى الثورة، وتمكين السلطة.
| يجب أن تقدم إستراتيجية جديدة، تنطلق من
حتمية انتصار الثورة، فالوضع بات يفرض بشكل حتمي ذلك، لكي لا يعم اليأس من جهة، أو
يستغل الوضع من أجل زيادة الصراعات من جهة أخرى |
وبدل أن يقيم الشعب سلطته تمارسها قوى تريد الهيمنة بدل استمرار الصراع مع
السلطة، تتسرع للسيطرة وفرض سلطة بدل تطوير صراعها ضد السلطة. ويتراجع وضع الحراك
الشعبي، كما يزداد النقد لما يجري، ويزيد خوف الشعب من فوضى يمكن أن تتوسع. ويغرق
في حالة من الحرب اليومية، ومن النقص في الغذاء والدواء، ومن التدمير
والتهجير.
ولا يبدو أن هناك إستراتيجية واضحة لكيفية إسقاط السلطة. لا في المستوى السياسي،
ولا في المستوى العسكري. وهو الوضع الذي بات يطرح السؤال عن سبب عدم انتصار الثورة
بعد ظهور الضعف الشديد للسلطة، وبالتالي الإحساس بالغرق في بحر من الفوضى في الأيام
المقبلة.لهذا يبدو أنه يجب أن تقدم إستراتيجية جديدة، تنطلق من حتمية انتصار الثورة، وتعتمد على الشعب، وتعزز العمل المسلح. فالوضع بات يفرض بشكل حتمي ذلك، لكي لا يعم اليأس من جهة، أو يستغل الوضع من أجل زيادة الصراعات في إطار الثورة لتفتيتها، وإنجاح سياسة تحويلها إلى صراع طائفي. ومن أجل أن يصبح أفق الانتصار واضحاً. لهذا يجب أن يترسخ ما يلي:
1- إن المناطق التي تلاشت سلطة الدولة عنها بقوة ونشاط الشعب، وبالكثير من الشهداء، يجب أن تدار من قبل لجان يختارها الشعب، وأن تصبح هذه اللجان هي المسؤولة عن كل الوضع بما في ذلك الأمن والإدارة وتنظيم الحياة.
2- أن يعود الحراك الشعبي كقوة فاعلة بعد أن تراخى، سواء نتيجة الميل المبالغ فيه نحو العمل المسلح أو نتيجة الضرورة التي فرضها التهجير الكبير لملايين السوريين، وانغماس كثير من الناشطين في مساعدة هؤلاء المهجرين.
3- أن الثورة التي انطلقت من خلال التظاهر، وهزت السلطة، ثم تحوّلت إلى العمل المسلح، يجب أن تعيد التوازن بين هذا وذاك، وأن تعود ثورة شعبية يدعمها السلاح. وأن يسقط مبدأ "التحرير" الذي هو جزء من إشكالية الاستعصاء القائم، على ضوء نقص السلاح والمال، وضعف الخبرة، وغياب الإستراتيجية العسكرية الواضحة. ولكي تنتصر الثورة لا بد من أن يظل الحراك الشعبي جوهرياً.
4- إن مبدأ "التحرير" الذي تطرحه بعض القوى المسلحة لا يفي بالغرض، على العكس يسهّل زيادة التدمير والقتل، إذ إن هذا الشكل من الصراع يفترض دعم الحراك الشعبي بالسلاح وليس التحول إلى عمل مسلح معزول، وينطلق من السيطرة على المدن والقرى في وضع تستطيع السلطة فيه التدمير الأقصى والأقسى. في وضع يتسم بتملك السلطة لقوة نيران هائلة قادرة على التدمير الشامل. هذا الشكل غير مناسب في إطار ميزان القوى القائم، حيث يجب أن تبقى قوة الشعب هي الأساس لكي يتحقق الانتصار.
5- كل ميل طائفي هو خطوة نحو تدمير الثورة، وكل سعي لفرض منطق أيديولوجي طائفي على الثورة وحصرها فيه هو تدمير لها. لهذا لا بد من عزل كل من يعمل على فرض هذا الميل.
6- يجب التركيز على كسب العسكريين، والعمل على أن يتحرك الجيش كجيش ضد السلطة التي تتحكم بالقرار الآن، خصوصاً بعد أن باتت معظم قطاعاته "محتجزة" في معسكرات بعد أن بات الجنود والضباط محتقنين وقابلين للانشقاق. لهذا لا بد من نشاط فاعل في هذا السياق. كما يجب كسب كل المترددين أو المتخوفين والخائفين، فهم من يمكن أن يساعد على كسر قوة السلطة، خصوصاً مناطق الساحل.
| كل ميل طائفي هو خطوة نحو تدمير الثورة، وكل سعي لفرض منطق أيديولوجي طائفي على الثورة وحصرها فيه هو تدمير لها. لهذا لا بد من عزل كل من يعمل على فرض هذا الميل |
8- أخيراً يجب أن يكون واضحاً أن الهدف الأساسي هو بناء دولة علمانية ديمقراطية، وتحقيق مطالب المفقرين والمهمشين من خلال تغيير النمط الاقتصادي خدمة لمصالح هؤلاء. الثورة انطلقت من أجل ذلك ويجب أن تحقق ذلك، دون التفاف أو مناورة أو تهميش. وأن أي تغيير لا يمس هذه المسائل، التي هي الجوهرية، سوف يبقي الثورة مستمرة، لأنها في أساسها هي ثورة اجتماعية، وإنْ ظهرت بمظهر سياسي (بمعنى إسقاط النظام السياسي وتأسيس دولة ديمقراطية)، أو حاولت القوى الليبرالية حصرها في هذا المستوى السياسي، أو أيضاً حاولت القوى الأصولية إلباسها "جلباباً" وإطلاق لحيتها.
هذه خطوات باتت ضرورية من أجل انتصار قريب، ولتجاوز كل التدخلات الدولية واللعب الإمبريالي، ولفتح الطريق لامتداد الثورة إلى البلدان العربية الأخرى بعد أن كانت قد بدأت بتونس وامتدت إلى مصر والبحرين واليمن وليبيا. فلا شك في أن انتصار الثورة السورية سوف يفتح طريقاً واسعاً لثورات تغيّر الواقع الذي عملت الإمبريالية والنظم الاستبدادية على فرضه طيلة العقود الماضية
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Iran confiscates Buddha statues in crackdown on 'cultural invasion'
Officials reportedly seizing statues from shops in Tehran
to stop the promotion of Buddhism
Buddha statues have joined
Barbie dolls and characters from The Simpsons as banned items in Iran.
Officials are confiscating
the statues from shops in the capital, Tehran, to stop the promotion of Buddhism, according to a
report in the independent Arman daily.
The Islamic republic has long fought against items such as Barbie toys to block western influence, but this appears to be the first time authorities have shown an opposition to symbols from the east.
The newspaper quoted Saeed Jaberi Ansari, an official for the protection of Iran's cultural heritage, as calling the Buddha statues symbols of "cultural invasion"......"
Political Violence Grips Egypt From All Sides
"Since the second anniversary of the uprising that ended the Mubarak regime, Egypt has witnessed a spate of political violence. Egypt's opposition led by the high-profile National Salvation Front (NSF) blames President Mohamed Morsi for the bloodshed, but many blame the NSF and its leaders......"
My Favorite Weekly Show: البرنامج - الحلقة 13 كاملة
IF ANYONE CAN BRING DOWN THE RULE OF THE MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD IN EGYPT, THIS PRESENTER AND THIS PROGRAM CAN!
Friday, February 15, 2013
Feature: Torture ties the Egyptian government to a brutal past
"11 February 2011 remains ingrained in the world’s consciousness as the day when ordinary Egyptians armed with courage, determination and hope for a better future brought down a repressive police state.
Two years later, frustrations are growing at the slow pace of reform and ongoing abuses committed by police and other security forces who continue to act with impunity.
Police brutality was one of the main triggers of the “25 January Revolution”.
In 2010, police beat Khaled Said to death causing a public outcry, which led to the creation of the “We are all Khaled Said” Facebook group, instrumental in rallying support for protests on the 25 January 2011.
The current Egyptian administration has evidently learned little from the downfall of its predecessor. Despite overwhelming evidence, the Egyptian government turns a blind eye to persistent torture allegations insisting they are “isolated acts”.
The shocking images of Hamada Saber, stripped of his clothes and brutally beaten by riot police in the streets of Cairo on 1 February served as proof of the continuing brutality of the Egyptian security forces. Hamada Saber changed his testimony numerous times, initially blaming protesters raising the question whether he was subject to pressure from the Ministry of interior. This incident echoes the old tactics of brutality, denial and attempts to cover-up by the government.
Hamada Saber is not the only victim. Amnesty International has gathered testimony of protesters and passers-by arbitrarily arrested, detained and beaten by security forces in recent weeks......."
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Al-Jazeera Video: ما وراء الخبر- تسليح المعارضة والنظام في سوريا
"تستعرض الحلقة ميدانيا سيطرة الجيش الحر على المواقع الحساسة للدولة خاصة بعد سيطرة الجيش الحر على مطار الجراح في حلب، رغم شح السلاح ورفض واشنطن من تسليح المعارضة. إلى أي مدى يؤثر استهداف المواقع الحساسة على النظام؟ وما أثار المعارك في ظل فيض التسليح على المعارضة وعلى النظام؟"
“Two Years of Deaths and Detentions”: Bahraini Pro-Democracy Protesters Mark Anniversary of Uprising
Democracy Now!
"Bahraini security forces shot dead a teenager earlier today as pro-democracy activists marked the second anniversary of what has been described as the longest-running uprising of the Arab Spring. Since February 2011, at least 87 people have died at the hands of U.S.-backed security forces. We speak to Maryam Alkhawaja, daughter of imprisoned Bahraini human rights activist Abdulhadi Alkhawaja. Maryam has served as the Acting President of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights ever since the group’s head, Nabeel Rajab, was arrested and jailed. The group has just published a new report titled, "Two Years of Deaths and Detentions." Maryam also serves as the co-director of the Gulf Center for Human Rights....."
"Bahraini security forces shot dead a teenager earlier today as pro-democracy activists marked the second anniversary of what has been described as the longest-running uprising of the Arab Spring. Since February 2011, at least 87 people have died at the hands of U.S.-backed security forces. We speak to Maryam Alkhawaja, daughter of imprisoned Bahraini human rights activist Abdulhadi Alkhawaja. Maryam has served as the Acting President of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights ever since the group’s head, Nabeel Rajab, was arrested and jailed. The group has just published a new report titled, "Two Years of Deaths and Detentions." Maryam also serves as the co-director of the Gulf Center for Human Rights....."
Gaza Gags Civil Liberties
By Mel Frykberg
"Gaza is becoming increasingly radicalised as Hamas continues its crackdown on civil liberties, press freedom and the rights of women. In the last few weeks a number of journalists have been arrested and accused of being involved in “suspicious activities”, several detainees shot dead by police during arrest attempts, and female students asked to abide by a strict Islamic dress code....."
"Gaza is becoming increasingly radicalised as Hamas continues its crackdown on civil liberties, press freedom and the rights of women. In the last few weeks a number of journalists have been arrested and accused of being involved in “suspicious activities”, several detainees shot dead by police during arrest attempts, and female students asked to abide by a strict Islamic dress code....."
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Muslim Brothers Are Worse Than Mubarak! Egypt floods 'vital' Gaza tunnels: Officials
Tunnels linking Gaza
with Egypt flooded by Egyptian forces in move designed to end smuggling of goods
and people
Ahram Online
"Egyptian forces have flooded smuggling tunnels under the border with the Palestinian-ruled Gaza Strip in a campaign to shut them down, Egyptian and Palestinian officials said.
The network of tunnels is a vital lifeline for Gaza, bringing in an
estimated 30 per cent of all goods that reach the enclave and circumventing a
blockade imposed by Israel for more than seven years.
Reuters reporters saw one tunnel being used to bring in cement and
gravel suddenly fill with water on Sunday, sending workers rushing for safety.
Locals said two other tunnels were likewise flooded, with Egyptians deliberately
pumping in water.
"The Egyptians have opened the water to drown the tunnels," said Abu
Ghassan, who supervises the work of 30 men at one tunnel some 200 metres (yards)
from the border fence.
An Egyptian security official in the Sinai told Reuters the campaign
started five days ago.
"We are using water to close the tunnels by raising water from one of
the wells," he said, declining to be named......"
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Wresting Islam from Islamists
Muslims are contesting the
rule of the Muslim Brotherhood and the tyranny of the clerical custodians in
Egypt and Iran.
"In a magnificent new essay [Posted earlier in PP], "Egypt's revolution: as it might have been; as it could be", published on the occasion of the second anniversary of the January 25, 2011, revolution, veteran journalist Hani Shukrallah muses over the course of the Egyptian revolution and in the rhetorical guise of a series of "what if's" he in fact charts the course of the unfinished revolution for Egypt. In a key passage of this rather long but exceedingly important essay, Hani Shukrallah writes:
Under somewhat different circumstances, and a relatively greater level of political and organisation experience, the Revolutionary Youth Coalition could have been transformed from the largely behind the scenes field leadership that it had been into the core formation of a national revolutionary leadership able to speak openly, clearly and forcefully on its behalf, indeed, to make of itself - to use the common phrase - the sole legitimate representative of the revolution. Theoretically, it had all what it takes to do so. Made up of popular organisations rather than the ideologically-based and largely bankrupt political parties inherited from the Mubarak era, the RYC was also reflective of a broad revolutionary front, encompassing a whole range of political and ideological persuasions, transcending in particular the "secularist-Islamist" divide that had plagued the nation's growingly diminutive political space for decades. [Emphasis added].Radically expanding that "diminutive political space", the Egyptian revolution will go down in history as the paramount occasion when the public sphere became the transformative location where Muslims began wresting Islam from Islamists and thereby reclaimed their religion beyond any such false and falsifying divide......"
Monday, February 11, 2013
Al-Jazeera Video: Muslim Brotherhood's grip on power slipping
"When Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood was formed in the 1920s, it called for social services and a modern Islamic society. In the decades since, it's grown into a modern political force - and seized the reins of power. But now that it is in power the Muslim Brotherhood faces perhaps its greatest test. Al Jazeera's Hoda Abdel-Hamid reports from Cairo."
Real News Video: Hamas Bans Gaza Hip Hop
Gaza rappers use music to oppose Israeli occupation but Hamas sees it as an
infiltration of western culture
ما المفاجئ!
By Azmi Bishara
"
"
| 11 فبراير 2013 |
|
أ. تفاجأت من القسوة والاستعداد للتدمير الشامل باستخدام الطائرات
والمدفعية والصواريخ ضد المدن. ألم يتفاجأ الناس؟
ب. هنالك من يقول أن الناس تفاجأوا، لأنه لا أحد يتوقع أن يتعامل بشر مع بشر بهذا الشكل. وهنالك من يدعي العكس، أن الناس توقعوا هذا السلوك الوحشي لأنهم يعرفون نظامهم. ولذلك تردد عدد كبير منهم بالانضمام. فهم يعرفون أن هذا نظام لا يسقط ولا يُصلَح بالمظاهرات وسوف يطلق عليها النار، وأنه مستعد أن يحرق البلد. أ. ولكن لم يحصل ذلك من قبل. ب. الناس تعرف نموذج حماة. وهنالك نموذج لقصف مدمر من الأرض والجو هو ما تعرضت له غروزني على يد القوات الروسية بإشراف بوتين نفسه. ولكن ليس لدولة كاملة بمدنها، وشعب كامل ثائر. سوف يفشلون طبعا فسوريا ليست دولة عظمى، ونظامها فقد شرعيته، وشعب سورية كله ثائر. ومع ذلك دعك من النقاش اذا كانت همجية النظام مفاجئة. أتدري ما المفاجئ فعلا؟ أ. ماذا؟ ب. الشعب السوري. هذا شعب عظيم وبطل. ولا مثيل له." |
Sunday, February 10, 2013
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