Syrian Tragedy

By: MIDN 3/C Eric Wilson, USN

In an article published in April by Fox News, in accordance with The Sun, Bashar al-Assad of Syria and his wife, Asma, are described as “tyrants.” Currently, the country of Syria is in the midst of national turmoil due to a civil war. The two sides of this war consist of the Syrian Arab Republic, led by al-Assad, and various rebel forces that oppose the government. Al-Assad has been constantly criticized over the course of this civil war, which has been underway since 2011, for his accused inhumane treatment of citizens. According to the article, al-Assad and his wife “own an opulent palace estimated to be worth $1 billion in Damascus – less than 10 miles from Eastern Ghouta.” While al-Assad resides in this mansion, he sends orders to mass-slaughter hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians of the country he is supposed to be leading. Over 400,000 Syrians have been killed due to this conflict, according to CNN, and over 5.6 million have fled the country. Bashar al-Assad is the textbook-definition of a tyrant who is constantly seeking more power, while subjugating the citizens of “his” country.

In my opinion, the word “tyrant” is used in a very appropriate manner here. In fact, I would use a worse word, if possible, to describe al-Assad. His intentional acts to quiet the oppressed in his country turns the Syrian government, which was established as a republic, into a dictatorship. He carries the stereotypical traits of a tyrant, including corruption, greed, wealth, and a growing desire for more power. These are all modern stereotypes of tyrants that emerged post-democracy in the Aegean. However, I would argue that even al-Assad’s treatment of the nation would be despised in ancient Greece, as well, even before the rise of democracy. He utilizes the military to annihilate entire populations with acts of inhumanity, including chemical weapons. In modern society, chemical weapons are frowned upon in the realm of warfare, due to past crimes against humanity that have occurred. Utilizing these against your own country is an even greater disgrace. The only citizens of Syria who are not subject to al-Assad’s wrath in some way are those within his administration and his closest supporters and donors. This ensures that he stays in power, as any opposition to his reign is addressed, often with non-diplomatic action. Such crimes cannot be defended or explained. By committing these cruel, totalitarian acts, al-Assad is the epitome of the modern stereotypes of tyranny.

Source: http://www.foxnews.com/world/2018/04/13/syrian-dictator-assad-wife-living-life-luxury-while-county-in-tatters.html