A genuine Syrian revolution rose to topple corruption and the most horrific forms of criminality in modern history—a criminality that surpassed even the Inquisition’s treatment of Andalusian Muslims. This revolution cleverly employed force to establish peace, demonstrating remarkable political acumen. To succeed and extricate Syria from the trap of international deception, the revolutionaries must learn from history and the experiences of others. Thus, I extend several heartfelt appeals filled with invaluable advice as a loyal supporter of the great Syrian revolution:
1. Formation of an Exceptional Transitional Government
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- Establish an inclusive, exceptional government free from remnants of the fallen regime, free from ideology, factionalism, and favoritism.
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- The government must consist of competent individuals from all components of Syrian society, including youth, who have learned politics through pain, loss, and harsh realities.
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- This government should not be transitional but extraordinary, with full decision-making power and legitimacy.
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- It must be composed of individuals with a vision for building a state—not sectarianism, factionalism, or emotional politics—and formed as soon as possible because extraordinary times demand extraordinary leaders.
2. Addressing the Revolution’s Four Major Fronts
The revolution faces four critical threats:
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- Political Ambitions: Rivalries must not overshadow the revolution’s goals.
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- Uncalculated Political Rhetoric: Avoid slogans that do not align with the current realities.
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- The Kurdish-led SDF (Qasd) and Israel: These threats must be addressed strategically, opening one front at a time rather than spreading resources thin across all fronts simultaneously.
3. Establishing a Balanced Political Discourse
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- Develop a political narrative focused on internal cohesion while offering reassurance to neighboring countries.
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- A unified and measured political message is essential, delivered through a single government spokesperson responsible for external communication (foreign affairs and defense).
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- Effective political rhetoric can solidify domestic support, reassure regional neighbors, and gain international legitimacy.
4. Ensuring Justice and Accountability
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- Expedite public, transparent, and legal revolutionary trials for those responsible for spilling Syrian blood.
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- Confiscate stolen wealth from regime affiliates and drug traffickers, redirecting it to a national fund for education and healthcare. This prevents the creation of a deep state fueled by these illicit resources.
5. Disbanding Armed Factions Without Conflict
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- Failure to disarm and integrate armed factions into a unified national framework will lead to isolated regions and a militia-run Syria, akin to Libya or Sudan.
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- Factions should be professionally incorporated into a national army, with leaders assigned respectable ranks and positions within the state’s military hierarchy.
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- Distribute faction members across different brigades to ensure unity within the national army while respecting the contributions of faction leaders, in line with the Prophet’s saying: “Honor the dignified people who have fallen.”
6. Prioritize Internal Development and Neutral Diplomacy
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- The next government must demonstrate international diplomatic competence, focusing on internal rebuilding and avoiding entanglements in regional or global conflicts.
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- Adopt a narrative that prioritizes rebuilding Syria as an isolated state, securing its food, water, medicine, weapons, and technology—essential components for survival in modern warfare.
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- Avoid populist and ideological rhetoric reminiscent of Saddam or Nasser, focusing solely on Syria’s reconstruction.
7. Avoiding the Mistakes of the Egyptian Revolution
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- Learn from Egypt’s errors, including the “Ikhwanization” (domination by the Muslim Brotherhood), ideological partisanship, weak rhetoric, and exclusionary policies.
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- The revolution must promote a state-focused discourse, steering clear of populist, ideological, or sectarian practices. As the saying goes: “The wise learn from others’ mistakes, while the foolish learn from their own.”
8. Protecting Against International Interference
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- Syria faces a potential threat of international intelligence infiltration, providing Israel with pretexts for intervention under claims of mismanagement or sectarianism.
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- Figures with international sanctions or political liabilities should step away from public roles, contributing silently in advisory councils to avoid giving the West or Israel any leverage.
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- This prevents Syria from being subjected to further political and economic isolation.
9. Postponing the Battle Over the Constitution
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- Constitutional debates risk dividing society and creating discord, which international actors could exploit to destabilize Syria politically.
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- Amend only the most contentious articles in the existing constitution, particularly those that discriminate against the Sunni majority, rather than opening a divisive constitutional overhaul.
10. Unifying Factions Under a Strategic National Vision
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- Align all factions under a state-building project, channeling their focus toward protecting the southern border near Israeli-occupied territories.
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This strategy serves dual purposes:
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- Protect Syria’s sovereignty and borders.
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- Strengthen the state’s negotiating power with Israel, leveraging armed presence in the south for political gains.
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11. Strategic Patience in Dealing with Israel
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- Iran has effectively handed Syria over to Israel, seeking to restructure its influence. The battle over the constitution or other symbolic disputes could be part of this strategy.
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- Pressuring Israel by deploying factions to the southern front integrates them into a national framework, ultimately aligning them with the state’s broader strategic goals.
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- Negotiations with Israel should temporarily secure Syria’s stability and allow the state to rebuild its power—a period of “strategic patience.”
