Syria: A witch's brew

How can we understand Syria? How far back in history should we go?

Let’s start with the Sykes-Picot agreement between the UK and France which divided up the area during the First World War in 1916. France got control of Syria, without of course any consultation with the Syrians who were then part of the crumbling Ottoman empire. Local dissatisfaction with this arrangement is still alive and emerging today.

Hafez al Assad, the father of Bashar al Assad ruled Syria for 30 years (1971-2000). In 1982 he put down civil unrest in Hama with a bloody massacre in which an estimated 20,000 people were killed.
“The 1982 massacre is regarded as the single bloodiest assault by an Arab ruler against his own people in modern times and remains a pivotal event in Syrian history” (The Guardian).

Later when another peaceful civil uprising in Deraa occurred in 2011, Bashar al Assad used the same brutal force as his father to suppress this. This was the beginning of the civil war that is now raging throughout Syria.

The Bashar al Assad regime now counts on the support of three outside powers.

Religion & Society: “Fields of Blood; Religion and the History of Violence” by Karen Armstrong

Karen Armstrong is a giant in the history of religion. It is hard to believe that she served for 6 years as a Catholic nun. Her many books have spanned all of the major world religions. Her latest work can help us to understand the recent rise of religiously motivated violence. This is why I read Fields of Blood; Religion and the History of Violence. I am trying to better comprehend to the rise of the Islamic State in the Middle East.

Religion: Conversations with God

Been thinking about Jesus lately. He was a Jew wasn’t he? Pity that the Jews don’t like him much anymore. Some of us think that he was one of the finest gifts that Judaism gave to us. He must have been quite a guy. Really dropped some pearls of wisdom along the way. Seemed to be quite helpful to people in need also…

Religion: The unholy alliance between religion and state power

Earlier this year I was in Peru for three months evaluating water supply and sanitation systems for small towns (< 30,000 people) throughout Peru. My work brought me to many different areas of Peru. One of the most fascinating visits was in Cajamarca.

Development: Living in a world of affluence

I am incredibly privileged. I have never known hunger. If I fall ill medical services are available. I have had opportunities to study and work. I am surrounded by electronic gadgets that make my life comfortable and interesting. I can speak out freely. I can travel without hindrance... and so the list goes on and on.

Media: Why not get to the root of the news? A modest proposal

As I read the news I am puzzled. Why do news analysts not get to the root of the problems they present?

Karl Marx: Analysis that leads to paralysis

Many years ago when I was in seminary, trying to unravel the mysteries of life, I noticed an unusual phenomenon. It was possible after endless probing and analysis to arrive at a point where any action could be so severely critiqued as to arrive at a point of complete inaction.

I notice that this phenomenon of analysis leading to paralysis is not only a danger of seminarians. It can also afflict materialist Marxists as well. A friend of mine is an astute Marxist analyst. He does not vote. When asked what actions he takes as a result of his analysis he said, “Nothing”.