The View from Syria

The “Reelection” of President Bashar al-Asad

Sat, 26 May 2007 08:27:54 -0400

By David Bender The reelection of Bashar al-Asad will take place tomorrow May 27th. Syrians are presented with the choices of “Yes” or “No.” Voting “No” is not advised and although a few no doubt will, there are real risks. While it is unlikely—though not impossible—that someone would be arres

Comparing Syria and South Korea

Tue, 24 Apr 2007 08:00:50 -0400

By David Bender Comparing Syria and South Korea may seem to be odd endeavor, but the two countries have more in common that one might suppose. Both countries have faced many similar challenges in the post-World War II era, but each has responded in dramatically different ways. Today South Kore

Syrian Parliamentary Elections

Thu, 19 Apr 2007 10:28:06 -0400

By David Bender Parliamentary elections are this Sunday in Syria. Unlike presidential elections in Syria (due in May or June), these elections fully free to the extent that one can vote for whomever one desires, anyone can stand for office, and the candidates with the most votes do win. Damasc

Syrian Tolerance

Fri, 23 Mar 2007 08:36:58 -0400

By David Bender A notable contrast between Syria and Egypt is the different way foreigners are treated in each place. While both places are generally very welcoming, foreigners in Egypt are greeted with a barrage of “hellos’ and stares on the street. Walking around in Cairo, it seems that near

Egyptian and Syrian Paths

Tue, 20 Mar 2007 07:03:48 -0400

By David Bender Last week I was in Cairo for several days to visit some friends. Cairo is a city of extremes. Compared with Damascus, it is richer and poorer, more worldly and more provincial. Stylish malls and restaurants in Cairo are of a quality that simply does not exist in Damascus; but

Banning Skype

Tue, 6 Mar 2007 06:49:50 -0500

By David Bender International telephone rates from Syria are very expensive. Usually they range from $1 to $2 a minute to non-Arab countries (calling to Arab countries is more reasonable). In recent months, Syrians have discovered Skype and voice chat over MSN, Yahoo, and Google Talk and Inter

The Crisis of Syrian Nationalisms

Mon, 26 Feb 2007 09:43:14 -0500

By David Bender Syria is a highly nationalistic country; but its nationalism is split between a strong sense of Syrian identity and pan-Arabism. While the ideals of pan-Arabism are still occasionally given lip service around the Arab world, it is only in Syria that the concept is still taken se

Hezbollah and the Political Crisis in Lebanon

Mon, 29 Jan 2007 11:17:13 -0500

By David Bender The political crisis that has consumed Lebanon for months and the street violence last week is not simply about Iran and Syria using Hezbollah to maintain their influence in Lebanese affairs. There certainly is that element, but the conflict is also about internal Lebanese secta