Revolt in Syria
Eye-witness to the Uprising
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- £13.99
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- £13.99
Publisher Description
In January 2011 President Bashar al-Assad told the Wall Street Journal that Syria was stable and immune from revolt. In the months that followed, and as regimes fell in Egypt and Tunisia, thousands of Syrians took to the streets calling for freedom, with many dying at the hands of the regime. Stephen Starr delves deep into the lives of Syrians whose destiny has been shaped by the state for almost fifty years. In conversations with people from all strata of Syrian society, Starr draws together and makes sense of perspectives illustrating why Syria, with its numerous sects and religions, was so prone to violence and civil strife. Through his unique access to a country largely cut off from the international media during the unrest, Starr delivers compelling first hand testimony from both those who suffered and benefited most at the hands of the regime. Revolt in Syria details why many Syrians wanted Assad s government to stay as the threat of civil war loomed large, the long-standing gap between the state apparatus and its people and why the country s youth stood up decisively for freedom. Starr also sets out the positions adhered to by the country s minorities and explains why many Syrians believe that enforced regime change might precipitate a region-wide conflict. This revised and updated edition contains a chapter bringing it up to the end of 2013, and examines the experiences of those who have fled the fighting to Turkey and elsewhere.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Living in Syria for nearly five years has given freelance Irish journalist Starr a unique perspective on the current unrest. His fluent Arabic, ordinary routine, and innate caution enabled him to observe and listen to the people's voices, learning how Syria's "complex mix of religions, cultures, and ideals," embedded corruption, and vast wealth disparity have fueled instability. Wealthy Damascenes oppose the revolution because they fear changes to their socio-economic networks. Government propaganda has also instilled a fear of an Islamic takeover, especially among Christians. Yet, when buses stopped running; crops failed; and money, jobs, food and decent housing became scarce, protests were inevitable. The situation has been further exacerbated by the massive numbers of unemployed youth. Government response to protests or gatherings is always swift and brutal, delivered by an uneducated security force, but blamed on a "cabal of gangsters" who were actually released prisoners. Starr intersperses his narration with the many voices of citizens who dislike President Assad but also fear civil war and who distrust outside help from western countries they believe will control them. Finally, he exposes the controlled farce of the Arab League observers. Starr's invaluable contribution clarifies the tragic quagmire that is Syria today, but, realistically, he is not optimistic about the future.
