Western Countries Have Neither a Reason Nor a Need to Accept Asylum Seekers from Syria or Gaza

After the Syrian revolution, many believed that a new and better era was dawning for the country. This was despite the fact that the HTS alliance, which came to power in December, has an Islamist background.

However, the persecution of Syria’s minorities recently made headlines, after which President Ahmed al-Sharaa promised to end the violence and arbitrary executions. Now, however, it has emerged that Alawites who fled to Lebanon have a different view.

According to one of them, “Bashar al-Assad is a murderer, but al-Sharaa is even worse. Words cannot describe the horrors.” 

A Christian, on the other hand, claimed that government forces had shot his father. According to him, “The troops entered our house, and my father was the only one home. Otherwise, we would all be dead.”

At this stage, it is difficult to assess the accuracy of these accounts, as there is no precise information available on the violence that has occurred. Allegations suggest that, in response to uprisings against the new government’s fighters, Islamists have retaliated ISIS-style with arbitrary executions and by kidnapping women as sex slaves.

If this has indeed happened, it is, of course, an extremely serious matter. On the other hand, it is clear that people who have fled Syria are not necessarily reliable sources.

Therefore, it would be important for the intelligence agencies of other countries to obtain more reliable information about what is currently happening in Syria. And if the allegations of crimes described above are confirmed—or especially if they appear to be becoming the new norm—the rest of the world must take action.

Or alternatively, acknowledge the situation and let people live in the reality of their own society without even trying to change it. While at the same time declaring that all cultures are equally good. And to understand that for this very reason, Western countries have neither a reason nor a need to accept asylum seekers from Syria.

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Israel attacked Gaza again some time ago, stating that the reason was that Hamas had been preparing attacks on Israeli territory. This justification became very clear today, when Hamas' military wing announced that it had fired rockets into Israel.

One of the rockets was intercepted, and two fell in uninhabited areas within Israel. The almost certain consequence of this will be an Israeli counterstrike, which will cause even greater suffering for the people of Gaza, who are already experiencing hard times.

Also in this case, Western people should acknowledge that all cultures are equally good. And understand that therefore they have no reason to accept even a single Palestinian asylum seeker.

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Uncertain Horizons: Syria's Post-Assad Era
The Need for Asylum Among Syrians Disappeared with the Regime Change
On the Consequences of Russian Inability in Syria

The Futile Civil War in Syria

The brutal dictator of Syria, Bashar Al-Assad, managed to retain his power during the 2011 uprising in Syria and the ensuing hot phase of the civil war. This was achieved primarily through military support from Russia and the passivity of Western nations.

However, the civil war has not ended, and recent reports suggest it has once again entered an active phase. During this phase, a coalition led by the jihadist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham has succeeded in capturing half of the city of Aleppo. Additionally, the rebels have taken control of over 50 villages and towns, despite government forces being supported by Russian fighter jets.

The resumption of hostilities appears to be linked to Hezbollah, a Lebanese group supporting Assad, coming under attack by Israel. Furthermore, Iran, another key supporter of the dictator, has recently been humiliated, which has likely diminished its ability to assist Assad effectively. And the Russian army is stuck in Ukraine

Reading these reports, I found myself pondering which I would prefer to govern Syria: fundamentalist Muslims or a Russian-aligned dictator. And to conclude that both options are equally insane.

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Hassan Nasrallah Has Been Killed, but Lebanon Is Unlikely to Become the Switzerland of the Middle East Again
History of Finland XII: Bloody civil war
Are we going to allow ISIS women to ride on their children?