The presence of President Bashar al-Assad has become an international, Arab and regional need. We can confidently say that people may disagree on the existence of God, but they will definitely agree on the presence of Assad.
Where did this come from? A question to those Syrians who suddenly forgot their country’s poverty; who attend conferences as representatives of the revolution, to discuss the demands of the majority who lost their loved ones.
Secret talks in Egypt between security figures and opposition figures seeking influence and money; secret talks in Turkey between Islamist opposition figures under the supervision of Turkish Intelligence; weapons for Syria’s Islamist factions provided by Saudi Arabia. These are not the representatives of the Syrian people, who have been killed, displaced and oppressed; these are only seekers of money and power.
ISIS exists and expands, Arab regimes fight terrorism, and they are content enough knowing the fight will not end overnight. For as long as terrorism continues, Arab rulers sleep well at night.
Politics has become a religion, and Assad's religion is power – he can change his faith at will. The opposition ventures east and west looking for a share in power, and Assad responds correctly. He does not appear in the picture, as he sends them to Egypt and Geneva, and he will choose some of these individuals when necessary – his loyalists among the opposition are more than you think.
Some of Assad's attributes are like those of a God. For many in his community, Assad does represent God and the mystery of the divine. The man – and his father before him – had clung to Islam, they performed the rites of the pilgrimage and prayer, and even fasting.
We do not care for faith. Any man can change his faith as Assad did, and the exchange of roles is important; as Hassoun became a Shiite, Assad became a Sunni. In Syria, the "opponents" fall day after day, and they fall into two categories: an opposition who considers political Islam part of the solution, and an opposition that considers itself secular. The latter considers Assad part of the solution.
In the magical mixture of conspiracy theory, which states America gave birth to ISIS, there is some kind of flatness. ISIS is Islamic and Arab par excellence, but only attracts lost and marginalized Arab and non-Arab youths.
Assad's influence in Syria has increased today more than ever. All those fighting terrorism support him, and stand with him. The whole world supports Assad, after Obama wiped away the red lines. All Arab rulers support him because their survival is related to his.
The regime is strong in the cities of Syria, the buffer area is an illusion, Turkey follows the West, and it is trying desperately to have a Western role. Turkey will not oppose the West, and it is certainly untrue that there is discontent among them. Security coordination exists at the highest levels, the West decides.
The ‘Assad issue’ is over. He will stay, although he could be killed by a Judas inside the regime after Arab and Western approval. Only the president’s name will change. Syria has become a stage for the Syrian, Arab and international gangs – the ‘Syrian model’ is the future model for the Arab states.
Translated and edited by The Syrian Observer
