As many of you know, I can see Syria from my kitchen window. My village and my life continue to be safe and secure; in fact, the primary way that the Syrian Civil War has affected my life has been merely an increase in prices and over-crowding at the markets. Nonetheless, I do occasionally see or hear real signs of war from across the border.
This blog is not the appropriate place for me to discuss my personal views and impressions on the Syrian situation both in Syria and in Jordan; however, I'd be happy to share my thoughts with you directly if you contact me via email, Facebook, or Skype.
That being said, I consider it part of my duty as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Jordan to share some of the facts and realities of the Syrian Civil War and how it has affected life in Northern Jordan; therefore, I have elected to include links to a variety of recent news articles, from several sources, on the following pertinent issues.
On the Jordanian Government's official position:
This blog is not the appropriate place for me to discuss my personal views and impressions on the Syrian situation both in Syria and in Jordan; however, I'd be happy to share my thoughts with you directly if you contact me via email, Facebook, or Skype.
That being said, I consider it part of my duty as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Jordan to share some of the facts and realities of the Syrian Civil War and how it has affected life in Northern Jordan; therefore, I have elected to include links to a variety of recent news articles, from several sources, on the following pertinent issues.
On the Jordanian Government's official position:
- Jordan's king: "Clock is ticking" in Syria - August 5, 2012 - CBS Evening News
- Any solution to Syria crisis has to be political, preserve territorial integrity — Jordan - August 12, 2012 - The Jordan Times
On war tactics in Syria:
- Syrian govt forces and rebels committing war crimes –– UN report - August 15, 2012 - The Jordan Times
- Syria and its chemical weapons: Watch out! - July 28, 2012 - The Economist
On the Syrian Prime Minister's (PM) defection to Jordan:
- The struggle for Syria: An ever-lonelier leader - August 11, 2012 - The Economist
- Syria PM defects, accuses Assad regime of 'genocide' - August 6, 2012 - The Jordan Times
- Assad in control of 30% of Syria, listens only to Iranian advisors –– Hijab - August 14, 2012 - The Jordan Times
On Syrian refugees in Jordan:
- Jordan squeezed as Syrian conflict rages next door - August 14, 2012 - The Washington Post
- Police disperse angry Syrians at refugee camp - August 13, 2012 - The Jordan Times
- Jordanian source confirms border clash, says no casualties - August 11, 2012 - The Jordan Times
On minority groups in Syria:
- The Kurds: Hedging their Syrian bets - August 4, 2012 - The Economist
- Syria’s Christians: They’ve turned against him, too - July 21, 2012 - The Economist
On the varying groups that may vie for power after the fall of Bashar Assad:
- Syria’s rebels: Who will come out on top? - August 11, 2012 - The Economist
- The war for Syria: Jihadists on the way - August 4, 2012 - The Economist
- Syria: Is there an alternative to chaos? - August 4, 2012 - The Economist
As if you didn't have enough sobering headlines to look at, here's one more:
ReplyDeleteFour Syrian rockets land in Jordan, wounding child - August 20, 2012 - The Jordan Times
http://jordantimes.com/four-syrian-rockets-land-in-jordan-wounding-child
Whether based in fact or hyperbole, or a little of both, I do not think that most Americans understand the extent of the perceived American influence in the Arab world:
ReplyDeleteExclusive: 'We believe that the USA is the major player against Syria and the rest are its instruments - August 28, 2012 - The Independent
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/exclusive-we-believe-that-the-usa-is-the-major-player-against-syria-and-the-rest-are-its-instruments-8082457.html
Syrian activists say pledges of U.S. communications aid are largely unfulfilled - August 20, 2012 - The Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/syrian-activists-say-pledges-of-us-communications-aid-are-largely-unfulfilled/2012/08/20/14dff95a-eaf8-11e1-9ddc-340d5efb1e9c_story.html
Craig -
ReplyDeleteThis blog is informative and great. For a new nonfiction anthology, The Places We’ve Been: Field Reports from Travelers Under 35, we are currently looking for submissions and would love to invite you to take a look and consider if you might like to participate. A bit of info from the general call for submissions is available at www.facebook.com/ThePlaces35. The posted deadline is stated as October 15 - but we have a special invitation/extension through November 15 for invited bloggers.
Thanks for your consideration, and feel free to be in touch for more information!
Asha
editor [a t] theplaces35 [d o t] com