The Syrians are Watching

[Avalux]

In one of Old Damascus' new cafes, text messages buzzed between mobiles in quick succession, drawing woops of joy and thumbs up from astonished Syrians.

Suzan Mubarak, the wife of the Egyptian president, had flown into exile with her son - so the rumours went - driven out of the country by days of unprecedented protest against the 30-year rule of her husband.

The news from Cairo brought a flutter of excitement to this country, founded on principles so similar to Egypt that the two nations were once joined as one.

Like Egypt, Syria has been ruled for decades by a single party, with a security service that maintains an iron grip on its citizens. Both countries have been struggling to reform economies stifled for generations by central control in an effort to curb unemployment among a ballooning youth demographic.

Could the domino effect that spread from the streets of Tunis to Cairo soon hit Damascus?

http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/features/2011/01/2011129132243891877.html


If the Egyptian opposition is successful in ousting Mubarak (it appears that may be the case), Syrians may have the inspiration to do the same.

[fascisthunter]

1. and yet, Mubarak is not considered to be a Dictator by our VP?

[gateley]

3. Again, I must express my astonishment at DUers who take what

the Administration publicly puts forward at face value.

They all offer the Administration's official stance.

Those who believe these individuals are just talking and giving their own opinions are naive.

[fascisthunter]

5. he shouldn't make the statement... period

[madrchsod]

2. syria has a lot of displaced iraqi`s.....

this could not bode well for the syrian royality

[Change Happens]

4. I hope Syria is next!!! ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!

[sufrommich]

6. I'll bet they are. nt

[jahlove17]

7. Wow

That would be crazy.

[Avalux]

8. It's happening in other places, Syria next? Then maybe Iran?

Today, I'm thinking anything is possible and I'm not really worried about it. I don't get the feeling this is about religion or extremism; but about the one thing that sets us apart from all other mammals - CHOICE.

[nadinbrzezinski]

9. Damn you and I read the same thing

[Avalux]

10. We sure did -

I found it earlier today...it's amazing what's happening and I don't think it can be stopped. :hi:

[nadinbrzezinski]

11. Nope, why I made allusions to 1848 earlier in the day