What this blog is about
The democratic change which is sweeping through the Middle East and North Africa has hit Syrian shores. The so-called “Syrian exception” has proved to be a fallacy. Change is inevitable.
Those leading the struggle for change are young people. They have refused to cower to regimes that have failed them. Unlike their parents, they command the technology for mass mobilization and they have used this to topple dictators. To know what the future holds for the Middle East and how this impacts the rest of the world, it is important to hear their voices.
Barada TV, which I established and served as its chief editor for three years, is accelerating the process of change in Syria. It has broken the state’s monopoly on truth. For the first time, young Syrians can watch news and opinion about their country which has not been fed through the state censors. This is significant.
It is not only necessary to understand the region, you must effect it. Not all change is good; there is an experience gap and the real risk that dictatorship and mismanagement might re-surface again. Bad habits die hard.
Positive change can only be based on a healthy respect for the integrity of knowledge. That means realism, scientific education and moderation. By promoting such values in the media, one can bring about positive and lasting change for the good.
Malik Al-Abdeh
Interesting blog. But how can you claim to be in touch with ‘what’s really happening’ when you are not actually in Syria?
Thanks Philip for visiting my blog.
In reply to your question, It is my job to know what is happening given that I am the chief editor of Barada TV, an independent Syrian TV channel. I am in daily contact with reporters who work for Barada TV in Syria and they provide me with real time information on the latest developments and the “mood on the street.”
The point of this blog is to convey some of what I hear and learn to an English-speaking audience, particularly to other journalists but also academics, decision-makers and people who are generally interested in Syria.
There are several quite popular blogs out there run by “Syria experts.” These tend to concentrate on “high politics” (US-Syrian relations in particular) and this I felt did not necessarily convey an accurate picture of what Syrians regard as their priority.
The democratic revolutions sweeping the Arab world have underlined the importance of “low politics” and issues of human rights and democratic freedoms to the ordinary man on the street.
Conventional wisdom used to say that Arabs did not care for these “luxuries” but conventional wisdom is being turned on its head. As we speak young men and women are dying for freedom and democracy on the streets of Tripoli.
There is a new generation of Arabs who are going to shape not only their own societies, but also change the future of how the Arab world engages with the West. I’d like to think that I am part of that generation and doing my bit through Barada TV and through this blog.
I am totally in support of your idea of “low politics” – democracy can only truly be achieved from “the base up”, the people have to demand it. It cannot be dropped from 40.000 ft up in the sky as recently expressed by David Cameron. Therefore it has been so wonderful to see all these young people in the Arab world finally standing up and demanding their rights – not just chanting how they want to give their life and blood to Assad…So the best of luck to you and your like-minded in your efforts. But given the tiny scale of these demonstrations in a state so packed with security operators as Syria, is there truly any hope? I truly admire those who dare to protest, knowing full well what awaits them when arrested.
Congratulations Malik on creating your blog, finally! I hope it will be as successful and informative as your other work.
Thanks Ausama for your kind words.
regds frm the indian subcontinent……what our forefathers fought for 3 gnerations ago,that is DEMOCRACY, we can see before our eyes happening in u r part of the world……..the youth have taken this step with inner confidence and self determination…….they have hope in their hearts and grand visions for the future………..the unity of the youths can acheive the ubbeliveable, so there is no turning back now, we were inspired by our leader GANDHI ,father of the nation….hope u do too, please go thru our history to gain some insights……and also the song “give me freedom”by k’naan has resonated and energized the mena regions…………….march ahead with unity, victory will be u r s………god bless!!!
Malik I hope dearly that you and your supporters of a so-called “Democratic Syria” are aware of what you are really getting when you allow the western brand of democracy to be the model you seek to emulate. Perhaps you will be inclined to take a que from HISTORY and the long standing record western democracy has of bringing total social and moral degradation and economic exploitation of the entire population. they use to invade nations and force “democracy with a sprinkle of free market Rich Exploit the the POOR Capitalism, NOW by God they have Nations taking the poison themselves and tricking the masses into believing that a system with absolutely no track record of success and the blood of millions (perhaps) billions of ancestors from all parts of the world on its HAND, is a SOLUTION to a problem. Syria will do well to be smart, and reject western influence in all FORMS, and find a truly equal and fair system to live by. but then again, who am i kidding. we all know GLOBALISM is the Order and Israeli Super Power Status is the Agenda.
Are you able to interpret these results here:
http://www.sana.sy/ara/2/2012/05/15/419128.htm
Is there any way of analysing which parties each person stood for?
Thanks for any help you could give,