Syria Needs Independence, Truth, Reconciliation, and Non-Military Aid With No Strings

By David Swanson, World BEYOND War, December 8, 2024

Above is a wanted poster from the U.S. government eight years ago, declaring its committment to “bringing to justice” for “terrorism” the man now celebrated in U.S. corporate media as the new benevolent democratic leader of a free Syria.

Much of Syria lies in ruins. Many have lost family members and suffered horribly. Resentment will not vanish swiftly on its own. A civil war to replace a brutal government with another does not happen without widespread support for both sides.

In this case, support for the side that took over a decade to win came in significant measure from outside of Syria, including from the U.S. government.

Only popular protest around the world prevented then-U.S.-President Barack Obama from carpet-bombing much of the country. Overthrowing the Syrian government was that important to Washington. But what overthrow in the past century has gone well, for people in general, or even for the planners on their own terms?

An Arab Spring that began with nonviolent activism was turned by numerous forces into deadly violence — which leads to new governments based on deadly violence. What past celebrated leader of such has not later become an enemy of his erstwhile backers?

Syria needs a truth and reconciliation commission that makes no apologies for any sides.

Syria needs full independence from foreign empires — all of them. Military bases and troops out!

Syria needs actual non-“lethal” aid. The climate collapse that contributed to the start of this conflict has only worsened. Syria and the world need a turn away from massive investment in war to massive investment in the Earth.