In the kaleidoscope of events that happened to the world in general and to Syria in particular the Caesar Act and the sanctions on Syria take precedence. Having been through a war fought on its soil by terrorists aided and abetted by the USA, Turkey and some western countries, Syria lost many of its sons.

Sanctions in turn attempted to suffocate the population and as if this were not enough the Caesar Act was introduced which punished the countries trying to help Syria.

On the ground this meant that many substances were lost-vital substances that affected the economy of the country leading to its regression. Corona came complicating issues further on with sanctions on health related materials leading to their scarcity.

What follows is an exclusive interview with Reneva Fourie who is a political analyst and expert on current affairs.

Interview with Syriatimes

Reneva Fourie

Syriatimes: You have been here in Syria for over a year-how do you see the country?

R.F: We arrived in Damascus, Syria on 31 October 2019. My first impression was one of surprise.  Damascus was far more beautiful, developed and peaceful than I had anticipated. The public administration still functions effectively; the level of safety is high; and the level of criminality is low. Most surprising was how liberated, assertive and fashion-consciousSyrian women are.

I learned that the people of Syria do not showcase their suffering.  They always strive to project a positive image. Hence the initial response to my presence was one of reserve.  Once people, particularly women and elderly women, became comfortable with my presence, they opened.  They cried about their losses during the war. Some showed me their scars.  They told me about the impact of the Israeli missile attacks on their children.  And now, they share their frustrations with sanctions.

The spirit of national unity and pride in the Syrian various military forces was unexpected, as the outside world has a view of a Syria at war with itself.  I was shocked to discover the extent to which other countries are actively trying to destabilise Syria, and how they are able to get away with blatant lies about their roles here.  This was especially because my first experience of an Israeli missile strike was on an apartment just around the corner from where we live, and I was surprised by how the mainstream media defended something that was fundamentally wrong, without any regard for its human, social, psychological and economic impact.

Despite the challenges, I was able to have a lot of fun. Prior to Covid-19, I attended a wedding, and a few parties, and am still adjusting to the heavy makeup and fancy hairstyles.

Syriatimes: How would you describe what is happening on the international arena concerning Syria? (Role of Turkey-USA-EU-UN-Russia-Iran)

R.F: I have taken much time to understand developments in Syria.  Cape Town, South Africa has quite a conservative Muslim population and accordingly, exposure to a conservative and even radical perspective of Islam was an integral part of my upbringing despite being raised as a Christian. 

I had fallen for the narrative that Islamic Jihadists are anti-imperialists and perceived them to be anti-Israel; and that the USA was here to fight ISIL.  I was really shocked and gravely disappointed to discover how the reality differs so strongly from the public narrative and to see the collusion between the USA, Turkey, Israel and various jihadist forces to destabilise this country. The cruelty subjected on the people of Syria, whether in the name of religion or simply because of ambitions of power and greed was simply alarming – likewise the silence of the world, including the European Union.

The EU openly advocates regime change and fails to see that this undermines Syria’s sovereignty; nor does it care about the cost of this ongoing aggression to human life and social security. Of course, the methods of effecting regime-change in Syria are no different to regime-change methods elsewhere, whether in Venezuela and Cuba, and even in some countries on the continent of Africa. 

The strategy is to exacerbate fault lines – by either hi-jacking legitimate protests, or inciting protests, with the initial dominant narrative being corruption, followed by matters of service delivery and the state of the economy, and then elevating it to deepen existing social differences, whether it be religion or ethnicity. In Syria it went beyond just the usual information and psychological warfare, to tragically include military warfare, at huge human, social, economic and environmental costs.  It is important that citizens are vigilant and strike a balance between the right to protest, and the protection of their country from external interferences.

The position of multi-lateral institutions therefore must be appreciated within that context.  The fact that the dominant global narrative is that of the USA, supported by other NATO countries, weakens the objective voices of multi-lateral organisations based in Syria.  Their determination to provide reports as objectively as possible and to continue to work with the government of Syria is nonetheless applauded; but the reality is that the USA has its own interests, which makes the truth redundant.    

Regarding Iran, I can understand the determination of Iran to defend its sovereignty, culture and resources and believe that this should be respected. I believe too that Russia’s [who is here based on the invitation of the Syrian government] presence in Syria is in the interest of the defence of the Syrian people, but I feel that they are being too diplomatic. Russia, while committed to contributing to peace and stability in Syria, seems reluctant to jeopardize its business interests in the region, and accordingly is not as assertive as it could be. 

Syriatimes: How would you describe South Africa’s relationship with Syria?

R.F: There is a rich historical relationship between our liberation movement and the post-apartheid South Africa and Syria. This relationship needs to be intensified at government-to-government, people-to-people and party-to-party levels. The war and now Covid-19 have dampened the plans for increased engagements. My political party, the South African Communist Party however, monitors developments in West Asia closely and has come out strongly against aggression against the people of Syria.

Syriatimes: What is your opinion of the Caesar Act and previous sanctions on Syria?

R.F: Living in Syria, I am directly affected by sanctions in personal ways, which is contrary to the public narrative that sanctions are targeted at the governing elite.

The liberation struggle in South Africa benefitted a lot from sanctions.  This was because the call for sanctions was a popular call, emanating from the mass of the South African people and we are appreciative of the role that Syria played in isolating the apartheid regime.

The genesis of sanctions in Syria, however, is different. Here it was imposed, as a key part of the western regime-change agenda.  This also is a common practice that the west applies to all countries that resists its interests.  Various feeble justifications are usually presented, which are supposedly in the interest of the people of that country [as if the people are helpless and need an external benefactor to speak on their behalf], when in reality it is a brutal bullying technique. 

Accordingly, I believe that sanctions are being applied to destroy the Syrian economy in the hope that the people will become so disgruntled that they will support the western call for regime-change. What the west has lost militarily, it now seeks to advance economically.  I have noticed groups of Syrians conducting anti-sanctions protests, thereby dispelling the myth that the Syrian people welcome the imposition of sanctions.  We need more Syrians to bombard the mainstream media to expose how sanctions adversely affect their quality of life and to express that they reject it with the strongest contempt.

Syriatimes: Your own views about Beirut port explosion

R.F: Let me begin by expressing my sincere condolences to the families and friends of the hundreds who had lost their lives and convey my sympathies with the thousands that have been injured. The impact of the explosions was devastating, in terms of life, in terms of infrastructure, and economically – given that a key port has now been destroyed. The prompt response of the Syrian government to assist was heart-warming. 

It must be noted that the explosions happened within less than 24 hours after the Israeli airstrikes on southern Syria and the subsequent threats by Netanyahu to escalate attacks on Hezbollah, who formed a part of the Lebanese government.  It also happened in the context of the heightened tensions due to Israel’s continued occupation of Lebanon’s Shab’a Farms, lingering disputes over water rights, and almost daily violation of Lebanese airspace. It is therefore imperative that the reasons for the travesty be investigated thoroughly, including the cause of the first explosion.

Whether by design or human error, it is unfortunate that the people of Lebanon did not use the tragedy to close ranks and unite in rebuilding their country. No matter how bad things are, a former coloniser can never have their best interest at heart and the offers by France should be treated with caution.  While all material support is of course welcomed, this support should be unconditional, and it should not interfere with governance matters.

A weak Lebanon, and particularly a Lebanon with a pro-western government, will make things difficult for Syria, Iran, and of course the people of Palestine.  It is important that the people of Lebanon place their territorial integrity first, for that is the only route to stability and prosperity.

Editor in Chief

Reem Haddad

 It is not   often that a normal dramatic detective police series is subjected to the politicization and fury that the Syrian drama series "Interview with Mr. Adam" was subjected to.  Various TV channels went to great lengths showing different parts of episodes and emphasizing a particular scene and then rerunning that scene more than once. British newspaper "the Guardian " devoted a whole article to that particular detective series. Why were there many attempts to transform this series from an exciting thriller to a sinister on?

In late January China sealed off Wuhan an industrial centre of about 11 million people . Though the Chinese government's actions have been described as "Draconian" by some, with the passage of time they have also proven to be right.

As corona virus spread may countries tried to follow in China's footsteps but were unable to and so the virus raged that the world might witness an immense corona virus explosion as reports indicate that in some poorer countries corona virus remains undetected or if detected has not been treated with the seriousness that it deserves.

The effects of the pandemic have not been limited to the health sector only but have had a volcanic effect on the world as we know it.

It revealed weaknesses in both countries and individuals  where so many countries hid behind the glamour of their state of the art technologies and their capitalist systems, corona came forcing them into the nude and depriving them of what they had thought of as "inalienable rights". Maybe corona will change world order and countries that consider themselves in the lead will reconsider that claim. For to be in the lead is not only to have an abundance of guns and bombs, neither is it the ability to bully other countries into submissiveness but it is to have the backbone to stand straight in times of duress. It is never to forget our human compass, but foremost it is the ability to hold on to our principles, our ethics and our morals.

And so Aleppo second largest city in Syria, renown industrial capital and glorious throughout history (UNESCO world heritage site) has returned to the fold.

In 2012, large parts of  Aleppo fell into the hands of terrorist. For four years battles raged in Aleppo is one example resulting in almost irreparable damage. (The old mosque of Aleppo - 12th Century) Building were destroyed, lives were lost and antiquities were looted. Horror spread in Aleppo and martyrs fell in great numbers.

The story of the siege of Al Kindi Hospital still stills hearts in many aspects in the cruelty of the terrorists and in the bravery of the Syrian soldiers.

Al Kindi Hospital was not Aleppo’s only nightmare. Many followed and to mention but a few: the terrorist attempt to capture Aleppo Central Prison or the bloody skirmish between two terrorist groups (Islamist rebels and ISIS) over ISIS headquarters which was a hospital in Qadi Askar district of Aleppo, where a lot of lives were lost. Queres Airport to the east of the Aleppo was ground for bloody battles and many lives too were lost. The siege on Queres airport continued for three and a half years. For the terrorists, Queres airport, had they been able to gain access to it, would have formed a turning point and would have gained them additional strength and strategic importance. Forty eight Pilots out of fifty lost their lives, but Queres airport never fell to the hands of terrorists and was finally liberated in 2015.

2016 saw the liberation of Aleppo city and in February 2020, Aleppo southern and south western countryside was liberated thus sealing a victory for the governorate of Aleppo. Most importantly was the liberation of international roads. Roads that had been closed for years and by their closure had cost the government a great deal of money. These roads are the M4 and M5 highways.

The M5 route starts from southern Syria and runs all the way up to Aleppo. It is a 280 mile road and it links four governorates, Damascus, Homs, Hama and Aleppo passing through Idlib and hence it is a major economic pathway facilitating trade and movement.

The M4 links the seaport of Lattakia to Aleppo, thus facilitating movement of goods imported from abroad. The alternative route to M4 would be a route that would start from Lattakia passing through Hama, Salamieh, Kharaser to Aleppo city. This route increase the distance greatly and hence the cost of transportation.

In the bewilderment of what happened (the assassination of general Suleimani) it is easy to forget that this is not the first time neither will it be the last time that America gets rid of its enemies through assassination.

A quick glance at back, to the 1960's will give a clear example of this, when the whole world shook with the assassination of Che Guevara. There were attempts to pass his assassination off as death due to fire exchange during battle.

Soon the information of how he died leaked out. Afraid of the spread of revolution that had started in Latin America- a revolution instigated by Guevara and Castro the USA decided that this revolution should be suffocated before it reached their backdoor.

It was the covert work of the CIA and their agents in Bolivia that led to the assassination of Che Guevara. De classified records show the high level of US interest in hunting down Che Guevara and his comrades. A Memorandum of understanding was signed between the American side and the Bolivian side in which it was agreed that Guevara and his group of fighters be kept under surveillance. When Guevara died the Americans viewed it as a victory. They had  managed to assassinate Guevara by proxy and had stifled his "hated revolution".

In the official wake (1967) held for him in Cuba by President Castro he said that through they have killed Che but they can never kill his ideas "The artist may die – but what will surely never die is the art to which he dedicated his life, the art to which he dedicated his intelligence,".

In an irony to top all ironies the man who volunteered to kill Guevara sergeant "Mario Teran" and who had to live in the dark the rest of his life in Bolivia penned a letter of gratitude to Castro which was later published by El Deber thanking Castro because Cuban doctors had operated on his eyes free of charge and thus proving that though he shot Guevara and ended his life the ideas of the revolution of equality and supporting the poor never died and in the end "Mario Teran" their killer and Guevara's benefitted from the moral and ethical beliefs of Guevara and the revolution he believed in.

British politician George Gallaway says "one of the greatest mistakes the US state ever made was to create those pictures of Che's corpse. Its Christ like poise in death ensured that has appeal would spread way beyond the turbulent university campus and into the hearts of the faithful, flocking to the worldly, fiery sermons of the liberation thoelogists." The Economist magazine pointed out how Che's post death photos resemble Andrea Mantegna's "The Lamentation over the Dead Christ".