Syria needs diplomacy, not intervention

"If anything, the pursuit of regime change is hurting the international community's ability to end the crisis."

President Bashar al-Assad's government has used brute force to crush a genuine popular upheaval against his regime. Human rights have been systematically violated. But the crucial question is how and what steps can international society lawfully take to bring an end to the crisis. The Hindu : Opinion / Lead : Syria needs diplomacy, not intervention:

The Syrian regime, however unpopular, is supported by a significant section of people. Regime change through outside intervention wreaks havoc, violates the United Nations Charter, the rules of international law, and undermines the stability of the world order. These fundamentals must not be overlooked.

Bashar al-Assad is no pushover. Diplomacy should seek his consent to a plan which leaves him in office but ensures a democratic transition. The resolution is not an aid to diplomacy but an instrument of duress. The Arab League and its Western backers were impatient on regime change.

One suspects that regime change is the main objective; human rights violations are a pretext for it. Beneath the crisis in the U.N. system lies a deeper crisis of the legitimacy of an order which is devoid of an international consensus. That can be restored only by a wide consensus.

A tragic impasse

"Russia and China may have vetoed a sharply worded draft UN Security Council resolution on Syria but the US, France and Britain cannot escape their responsibility for this impasse."

The Hindu : Opinion / Editorial : A tragic impasse: Russia's unwillingness to go along with a U.S.-led process stems, in large measure, from its anger at western conduct over Libya. The U.N. resolution of March 2011 imposed only a no-fly zone but served, in reality, as a cover for NATO's aim of violent regime change there. Today, Russia and China both believe they were deceived into abstaining rather than using their veto.

The P-5 and Arab League, along with India, Brazil and South Africa, must go back to the drawing board and come up with a new plan of action that can end the violence and set the stage for a Syrian-led political solution.

Zabadani: still a besieged city

"A growing number of residents are joining a band of defecting soldiers, some of whom claim to be part of the Free Syrian Army."

Zabadani, a small city, has become famous as a surprise stronghold for President Bashar Assad's opponents. The Hindu : Opinion / Op-Ed : Zabadani: still a besieged city: Residents talk about their moment of independence in Zabadani as a respite, rather than a sign of the Syrian uprising's changing tide. In fact, the presence of resistance fighters there may signal a more violent phase to come.

The role of armed defectors has grown, with attacks on troops, including killings and kidnappings, that at times have overshadowed the demonstrations. At the same time, many protesters defend the defectors, saying they are grateful for protection against a government that has resorted to violence against peaceful opponents.

"The protesters called for the government's fall, but also for unity, in a plea to save Zabadani from the fate of other restive Syrian cities."