HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_031925.jpg
2.31 MB
Extraction Summary
5
People
4
Organizations
6
Locations
2
Events
2
Relationships
4
Quotes
Document Information
Type:
News article / government oversight exhibit
File Size:
2.31 MB
Summary
A Financial Times article by Ed Husain dated August 23, 2011, arguing that Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad is unlikely to face the same fate as Muammar Gaddafi. The author criticizes President Obama's decision to call for Assad's removal, suggesting it strengthens Assad's position due to anti-American sentiment in the region. The document appears to be an exhibit from a House Oversight committee investigation.
People (5)
| Name | Role | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Ed Husain | Author |
Author of the Financial Times article.
|
| Bashar al-Assad | Dictator of Syria |
Subject of the article; author argues he is unlikely to be overthrown.
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| Muammar Gaddafi | Leader of Libya |
Mentioned in title and context of Tripoli events; used as a comparison for Assad's situation.
|
| Barack Obama | US President |
Demanded Assad's removal; author criticizes this decision.
|
| Hillary Clinton | Secretary of State |
Quoted questioning the aftermath of calling for Assad's removal.
|
Organizations (4)
| Name | Type | Context |
|---|---|---|
| The Financial Times |
Publication source of the article.
|
|
| Hamas |
Cited as an example of groups gaining popularity by defying Washington.
|
|
| Hezbollah |
Cited as an example of groups gaining popularity by defying Washington.
|
|
| Syrian opposition |
Described as fragmented and shambolic.
|
Timeline (2 events)
August 2011
Locations (6)
| Location | Context |
|---|---|
|
Site of dramatic scenes (Libyan civil war).
|
|
|
Primary subject location.
|
|
|
Used metonymically for US government/policy.
|
|
|
Mentioned in context of the war and anti-American sentiment.
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Cited alongside Hamas and Hezbollah.
|
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|
Regional context.
|
Relationships (2)
Obama demanded Mr Assad's removal.
Clinton discussed the implications of calling for Assad's removal.
Key Quotes (4)
"if the US called for Mr Assad’s head, then what?"Source
HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_031925.jpg
Quote #1
"America is at war with Arabs and Muslims"Source
HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_031925.jpg
Quote #2
"American stooges"Source
HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_031925.jpg
Quote #3
"Zionist agents"Source
HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_031925.jpg
Quote #4
Full Extracted Text
Complete text extracted from the document (1,763 characters)
13
Article 3.
The Financial Times
Why Assad need not fear Gaddafi’s fate
Ed Husain
The Financial Times
Why Assad need not fear Gaddafi’s fate
Ed Husain
August 23, 2011 -- The dramatic scenes in Tripoli are already being seized upon by those keen to depose other despotic regimes. Taken alongside the unstable situation in Syria, there is now a risk of a dangerous moment of western triumphalism. This must be resisted, especially given that the odds of overthrowing dictator Bashar al-Assad are so small.
After months of holding his nerve, US president Barack Obama last week succumbed to calls from commentators and Syrian opposition leaders, and demanded Mr Assad’s removal. The decision was a mistake. Earlier in the week, Hillary Clinton, secretary of state, noted that, “if the US called for Mr Assad’s head, then what?”. And, indeed, then what? I lived in Syria for two years and still visit regularly, so I know only too well that the US is viewed with deep animosity. Officials told me many times, and with straight faces, that America is at war with Arabs and Muslims – a view also ingrained among the wider population, particularly after the Iraq war.
Calls for regime change will thus help Syria, as Mr Assad defies the west with ease. As elsewhere in the Middle East, defying Washington is a cause of strength and popularity, as Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran show. Every passing day will now be seen as a humiliation for Mr Obama, while the fragmented and shambolic Syrian opposition will be more credibly dubbed “American stooges” or “Zionist agents”. For a population that is vehemently anti-American and anti-Israel, such labels are powerful and destructive.
The regime has been barbaric in responding to the brave people on the streets, but we must be careful about accepting the narrative that
After months of holding his nerve, US president Barack Obama last week succumbed to calls from commentators and Syrian opposition leaders, and demanded Mr Assad’s removal. The decision was a mistake. Earlier in the week, Hillary Clinton, secretary of state, noted that, “if the US called for Mr Assad’s head, then what?”. And, indeed, then what? I lived in Syria for two years and still visit regularly, so I know only too well that the US is viewed with deep animosity. Officials told me many times, and with straight faces, that America is at war with Arabs and Muslims – a view also ingrained among the wider population, particularly after the Iraq war.
Calls for regime change will thus help Syria, as Mr Assad defies the west with ease. As elsewhere in the Middle East, defying Washington is a cause of strength and popularity, as Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran show. Every passing day will now be seen as a humiliation for Mr Obama, while the fragmented and shambolic Syrian opposition will be more credibly dubbed “American stooges” or “Zionist agents”. For a population that is vehemently anti-American and anti-Israel, such labels are powerful and destructive.
The regime has been barbaric in responding to the brave people on the streets, but we must be careful about accepting the narrative that
HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_031925
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