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apparent inconsistency in your views of Libya and Syria

Reader comment on item: Uncertain times in the Middle East

Submitted by Jeff (United States), Aug 21, 2011 at 16:05

Although I fully agree with you that Qadhdhafi is preferable to the Islamists in Libya, I also believe that Asad is preferable to the Islamists in Syria. There is no doubt that the MB in Syria is playing an increasing role in opposition activities in Syria, since as you well know it is a bitter longterm foe of the Ba'thists. But I don't see how an Islamist regime in Syrian could possibly be preferable to the Ba'thists. The Ba'thist-Iranian alliance is purely geopolitical, whereas a Syrian Islamist-Iranian alliance (assuming that the Islamists were so sectarian and hostile to the Shi'i that they would back away from that alliance, which seems highly doubtful) would be both geopolitical and ideological. Indeed, it could result in the formation of a more viable Sunni-Shi'i Islamist alliance against the West (and Israel).

Asad seems far more rational than any Islamist would be, so unlike you I am supporting Asad as well as Qadhdhafi against the Islamist elements of the opposition. I don't have any faith that the democratic elements of the opposition in those countries will prevail. Both of these leaders are terrible, but things can always be worse (as we learned when the Shah was overthrown.

Submitting....

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Daniel Pipes replies:

I see Syria's strategic importance lying more in its Iranian alliance than anything the state does on its own. Assuming as I do that any post-Assad government will break the alliance with Tehran, I favor its fall.

I do not have similar calculations for Qaddafi.

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Reader comments (11) on this item

Title Commenter Date Thread
Uncertain times in the Middle East [11 words]Ted HoustonSep 23, 2011 12:46189514
1Uncertainty and the Loss of the Status Quo in the Middle East [390 words]M. ToveyAug 22, 2011 14:25188615
The world is in Islamic chaos [89 words]NuritGAug 22, 2011 02:42188580
2better than Worry [92 words]Jay1Aug 21, 2011 21:29188558
2apparent inconsistency in your views of Libya and Syria [202 words]
w/response from Daniel Pipes
JeffAug 21, 2011 16:05188551
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HenkAug 21, 2011 14:51188548
1Gadaffi may not be the bad wolf [121 words]Rose DeRenzoAug 21, 2011 12:25188546
middle east next position. [134 words]mr zia ullah nooriAug 21, 2011 12:04188545
thank you . [24 words]canadian syrianAug 21, 2011 11:55188544
7The Egyptian guessing game [233 words]Rebecca MouldsAug 21, 2011 08:01188532
1One Thought [5 words]infosifterAug 21, 2011 06:02188526

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