The Resistance community both online and on the ground has seen rapid developments as of late, splitting into various warring factions and resulting in a fractured community at a time when being united against the real enemies is of utmost importance.
In many ways, the next stage of the war on Syria, and the most crucial one has only just begun. As the Syrian Arab Army along with Russian Forces and various volunteer groups make steady gains against Daesh, it is not the events on the ground that will necessarily determine whether the Syrian Arab Republic survives. The responsibility will once again fall on Syria alone, and how it responds to the intricate and fragile political and diplomatic strategies devised by Russia to ensure not just a peaceful end to the war, but to preserve the territorial and political integrity of the Syrian Arab Republic. It is, therefore highly important not to lose sight of the bigger picture, and choose the battles very carefully in the meantime so as not to upset the careful diplomatic process that has been implemented.
Putting feelings before interests
One cannot blame the Syrians for being strongly opposed to the Turkish presence in their country in light of Turkey’s erstwhile Operation Euphrates Shield which saw Turkey arm and fund takfiri terrorists in an attempt to exploit the instability in Syria perpetrated largely by America, EU and “Israel”. However, Turkey has been quietly trying to redeem itself through cooperating with Russia and Iran in matters of security and trade as well as joining the Astana Peace Process for Syria. This should not have come as a surprise, not least because Turkey’s trust in its NATO “ally” America has been rapidly waning ever since the allegedly US authored coup against Erdogan in 2016, and the increasing tensions over America’s continued support for the Kurdish separatists as well as America’s refusal to extradite Turkey’s most wants terrorist Fetullah Gülen who has been living in America under the protection of the CIA for a number of years.
While Turkey was instrumental in the initial stages of this savage war, one must not lose sight of the realities unfolding as Syria along with its ally Iran cannot afford to put feelings before interests at a time when a cool head and perspective is what is desperately needed to ensure a peaceful and safe end to the terrorist occupiers in the shape of America and their proxies, the Kurds.
Turkey’s anti YPG/SDF Operation Olive Branch, a strategically chosen name, is essential in order to neutralise the Kurdish separatists who have wrecked havoc in Northern Syria, part of which they have occupied for some time. With various conflicting reports that the Syrian Army and the non-state largely Shia volunteer group Popular Mobilisation Units are on their way to Afrin where Turkish forces are engaged in combat with Kurdish terrorists, it makes one fear that The Resistance is losing what little control it has, and what little perspective it has. At the same time, The Resistance has been emboldened by the downing of the “Israeli” F16 jet last week at the hands of the Syrian Armed Forces, an event which saw numerous celebrations amongst fighters and supporters, yet one that seems has done more harm than good, in that is has given The Resistance a false and dangerous feeling of invincibility, in that by proving “Israel” is not invincible, the Resistance therefore must be, whereas in reality, if “Israel” can fall, The Resistance certainly can too.
Each member of The Resistance has a duty to act with caution, and for once, put interests before feelings. Chanting “Death to ‘Israel’”, or tidying up the truth will not save the Resistance, playing it cool might and allowing the painstaking balancing steps Russia has undertaken to do the work.
Let a stronger partner lead, or take matters entirely onto one’s hands - no in-between.
The increasingly divided alt-media community has been rife with remarks such as “Why doesn’t Russia fire at US, Russia should stop selling arms to Saudi Arabia, Russia should cease all diplomatic relations with Tel Aviv, why doesn’t Russia kick Turkey out of Syria” etc. These are worryingly common criticisms thrown by various observers on Russia’s foreign policy and are demonstrative of a lack of insight and understanding of world diplomacy.
First of all, Russia’s mandate in Syria is to assist the Syrian Arab Army in its fight against takfiri terrorists. Russia has zero obligation to go above and beyond for any nation state, although occasionally it has gone above and beyond such as when Russia gifted a substantial amount of weapons to Philippines during the ISIS occupation of the Filipino city of Marawi and after. Russia is under no obligation to start another war with both US and the Zionist entity for Syria, Iran, or Palestine or indeed anyone else. Russia is Russia, it is not Arab nor is it in the Middle East. It is not Russia’s job to save the Middle East any more than it is Iran’s or Hezbollah’s job to save the Russians in Donbass. Finally, Russia is an ally of nobody, but nor is it an active enemy of anyone. But as the saying goes, “No good deed goes unpunished” and it is too true in this case.
Realistically Syria has two choices and two choices only: take a step back, and allow Russia and an increasingly friendly Turkey to balance the powers and neutralise the Kurds respectively, or take matters entirely into its own hands. Nobody is stopping the Resistance from taking arms and fighting “Israeli” and the “American” aggressor, although any objective observer would be able to deduce why the latter scenario would be a disaster. Yet, Russia’s assistance, even if for the “wrong” reasons, is not only being taken for granted, but it is being challenged, both in the anti-Turkish sentiments in Arab media and in some cases in Iranian media, but also in challenging Russia’s carefully devised diplomatic strategy for peace by militarily threatening Turkey’s anti YPG/SDF operation in Northern Syria. Syria and Iran would do better to remember that the era of “allies” is over, NATO being a prime example where NATO members America and Turkey are currently at one another’s throats.
Conclusion
The multipolar model of world diplomacy is all about partnerships, but a partner will not help a fellow parter that does not help itself. While “allies” co-ordinate every step, and go above and beyond for one another to the end of the earth, partners on the other hand agree on some aspects, and agree to disagree on others, but ultimately, they will not do another’s job for them. But if The Resistance cannot save itself, the very least it could do, is rhetorically and physically remove itself from the situation, because thoughts lead to words, and words lead to actions, even if it means turning a blind eye to “Israeli” aggression for the time being. There are only so many battles than can be fought at one time, and Syria does not need a brand new war with Turkey, Israel, and United States which is what could happen were pro-Syrian and pro-Iranian forces to attack Turkish troops who for all intents and purposes, are doing Syria a favour by taking full responsibility in neutralising the Kurdish separatists.
Gaddafi was probably the last leader who was a true ally to anyone including to Iran and Russia, yet both Tehran and Moscow abandoned him when he most needed friends.
Ultimately, each country is responsible for itself, and if one is lucky enough to have a man like Gaddafi as an ally, it is a unique blessing to be nurtured and preserved, not taken for granted or worse, expected or worse, challenged. Russia is as close to being an ally to Syria as is realistically possible under the new Multipolar Order.
