Trying Times:

Today Is the Day to Stand Tall in Support of Justice in Syria

Rasa - The Trump White House - like Saudi Arabia and other cronies – is still doing everything in its power to regime change Syria, serve the Military-Industrial Complex, and harm the rest of humanity.

News ID: 430992

Date: 14 July 2017 - 22:32

RNA - For proof look no further than the ongoing plan to escalate the unpopular war once again, efforts to occupy ISIL-held Raqqa and other border areas with proxies, and destroy the prospect of post-ISIL Syria as a unitary and peaceful state - and let terrorist groups like Qaeda-linked Nusra Front control some parts of Syria under the banner of no-fly zones.

They are also determined to overturn the ongoing ceasefire agreement between Iran, Russia and Turkey to create de-escalation zones that are essential to preserving peace with the opposition and protecting civilian lives. The world community should start fighting back with a global day of action.

Human rights groups and public-interest organizations should team up with the United Nations and suchlike to pressure the US-led warmongers to leave Syria’s liberated cities and towns alone. All members of the international civil society are expected to participate in the global day of action as well.

The stakes couldn’t be higher: If some liberated parts of Syria are occupied by US forces and proxies after ISIL is defeated, the Levant will lose any prospects for permanent peace and security. As a consequence, the Global West will lose the most important peace and security platform they have ever had. The Western countries cannot afford to let this happen. They should join the global day of action and show the warmongers that they don’t want to see them become permanent occupiers of Syria and further terror attacks in Europe.

Large parts of Syria are already managed through government and its post-ISIL programs. World’s best minds should be tackling the challenge of saving and helping to manage the remaining parts through reconstruction efforts. This is not only achievable. It’s inevitable. US-led wars, occupations, and blowbacks are already too high for most nations, even those in Europe. The demand for a free Syria from occupation and war will only grow in the months to come.

It’s easy to understand why war-party Washington, with its history of hostility to the resistance front and International Law, would oppose a free from occupation Syria. But why is there such entrenched opposition among some regional allies? Some want to contain Iran out of loyalty to Washington and Tel Aviv, because it’s good for their own business and because it’s a colonial program.

Some regimes have developed deep expertise in the current, flawed international system at the United Nations. Consciously or unconsciously, they will be inclined to resist changes and improvements in Syria that render their regime-change campaign obsolete. Other regimes want to be proven right about politics, and they’ve staked their international standing on claiming that a Syria free from ISIL and US occupation is a hard sell because it will lead to a new wave of terrorism and chaos throughout the region and beyond.

Actually, it’s an easy sell: The world can save Syria by replacing a terrible idea with a much better one. America occupying Syria after the war is politically and militarily unfeasible. The past 16 years have taught us that it’s politically and militarily unfeasible to permanently occupy Iraq and Afghanistan – and win. Many peace advocates are also defending Syria today for a very simple reason: More people will die if US occupation is repeated. People are dying right now in Iraq and Afghanistan because America doesn’t have any idea what’s going on there.

Meantime, Iran and Russia are helping the Syrian government and army defeat foreign-backed terrorist groups. They are condemning outside powers’ plans to undermine Syria’s territorial integrity and to gut international protocols after the ISIL war, a move that would cause tens of thousands of needless deaths just to give the Military-Industrial Complex yet another gold rush windfall.

Iran and Russia are also making it clear that the ultimate goal – the goal that reflects both the Syrian public’s needs and their shared progressive values – is saving Syria and allowing its people determine their own future. Until the world community follows suit, it’s our own security and peace that is in jeopardy. Those who work with the United States to undermine Syria’s territorial integrity and future, they should absolutely be held accountable. All UN member states have the moral authority to speak truth to the power of International Law, and resist attempts to diminish support to those vulnerable members who most need it.

In times of crisis, routines and politics must be replaced with urgent awakenings, bringing out the better angels and wisdom from these underachieving pillars of the global community. A few nations can take the first steps and many more will follow their example. Stand tall in support of Syrian justice and future in these trying times.

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