Farah Halime
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friendlycanadian
There are three parts to this response:
1. Is anyone surprised that Syria is not going to follow any peace or ceasefire initiatives?
The tribal culture does not betray the tribe. The tribe is all.
Those familiar with tribal culture know that the answer to "Will you do this?" is always "Yes."
A contract is only valid when the two parties are together. Once the parties are not in the same room, the conditions of the contract mean nothing. (In business it is accepted knowledge that in the Arab world, a contract is the "beginning" of negotiations, not the conclusion. Tribal cultures do not consider reneging on a contract illegal, immoral or unethical. In fact, I would argue there is no word for reneging. The tribe comes first always!
The strategy of authoritarian countries is always to say "yes". Look at Iran's tactics with their "agreements" to allow nuclear inspection teams into their country to verify compliance to International agreements. Iran knows the Western response (at least in public) is to somehow believe Iran is telling the truth, is being "honest", and is really "concerned" with world opinion. NOTHING could be further from the truth.
Iran is just throwing sand. (As in "when caught on the horns of a dilemma the best strategy is to throw sand in the "bulls" eyes.")
Syria is doing the same thing.
friendlycanadian
There are three parts to this response:
1. Is anyone surprised that Syria is not going to follow any peace or ceasefire initiatives?
The tribal culture does not betray the tribe. The tribe is all.
Those familiar with tribal culture know that the answer to "Will you do this?" is always "Yes."
A contract is only valid when the two parties are together. Once the parties are not in the same room, the conditions of the contract mean nothing. (In business it is accepted knowledge that in the Arab world, a contract is the "beginning" of negotiations, not the conclusion. Tribal cultures do not consider reneging on a contract illegal, immoral or unethical. In fact, I would argue there is no word for reneging. The tribe comes first always!
The strategy of authoritarian countries is always to say "yes". Look at Iran's tactics with their "agreements" to allow nuclear inspection teams into their country to verify compliance to International agreements. Iran knows the Western response (at least in public) is to somehow believe Iran is telling the truth, is being "honest", and is really "concerned" with world opinion. NOTHING could be further from the truth.
Iran is just throwing sand. (As in "when caught on the horns of a dilemma the best strategy is to throw sand in the "bulls" eyes.")
Syria is doing the same thing.
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