Letter: Ignoble role for Russia in Syria
Syrian rebels march in a show of strength during a demonstration in Idlib, Syria. (Feb. 10, 2012) Credit: AP
In a continuation of the Arab Spring, the Syrian people and President Bashar Assad are embroiled in a civil war over freedom and basic human rights ["Syria, Russia and China ignore future," Editorial, Feb. 7]. One party wants rights, the other wants to retain the totalitarian control of the people.
While the Syrian government continues to slaughter innocent civilians, the Western power countries have united in their disapproval by closing embassies and restricting trade. However, as seen many times in the past, a "super power" is bucking the consensus. Russia has chosen not to take up the cause of innocent civilians, but rather to side with a rogue regime.
While we perceive Russia as a super power in world politics, it has failed at capitalism and support for basic human rights, which highlights Russian leaders' own precarious hold on their people.
Without a strong, truly free economy, the only way for Russia to maintain its relevance in world events is via support from the various suppressing governments around the world (Cuba, Syria, Iran).
