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Race against time (Daily Star, April 09, 2011)

Syrian President Bashar Assad appears to be seriously underestimating the nature of the protests shaking his nation, taking actions on the ground that undermine the regime’s public stance that it is ready to enact reforms.

Syria’s security forces met the peaceful protesters with force, and at least two dozen people were killed, with scores more wounded. Credible sources report that at least 80 demonstrators have lost their lives since the protests in Syria began in earnest; however, it is impossible to come up with an entirely reliable figure for the casualties, because foreign journalists are largely being kept away from the unrest.

The use of deadly force, wherever it has appeared in the Arab world during this year of revolutions, has proven time and time again to be a failed policy. It might buy a short amount of time for an embattled regime, but it represents a recipe for long-term resentment and further outbreaks of violence.

It also sends a dangerous signal that the regime has no interest in substantial reform.

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