Bogged down in conspiracy theories about Syria

JC Wilcox is defying political gravity again. The conflict in Syria is an obvious civil war – check the definition before committing yourself to yet another pratfall. That several external entities are meddling in Syria’s internal affairs is beside the point. That is a consequence, not a cause.

Long before Russia started bombing innocent civilians and hospitals or the US brought some influence to bear, several internal actors were engaged in a bitter struggle. One side was trying to keep a non-elected, despotic tyranny in power and the other to oust Assad and bring a measure of equanimity to the country.

By pontificating about the apparent absence of the “rule of law” in the US, Wilcox conveniently diverts attention from the real culprits who have been abusing the concept and practice for decades – Putin’s kleptocracy and Assad’s tin-pot dictatorship. Neither of these two oppressors would recognise democracy if it came up and tried to slap some sense into them.

That’s the truth of the matter, even if some deluded tripe-mongers here appear to think otherwise.

Simon Bedsall

Bangkok