Uncommon Commentary from Agence Global April 8, 2011

The Complex Discontent that Brings Revolution   by Rami G. Khouri
A combination of political and economic concerns pushed Egyptians over the edge of their former quiescence into open rebellion.
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Is the Syrian Regime in Danger?   by Patrick Seale
The demands stirring the blood of the young Arab people fall into three broad categories. Will Syria be next? Pro- and anti-regime Syrians are of two diverse groups. President Asad’s window of opportunity is narrow and shrinking daily.
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Assad’s Moment of Truth in Syria   by Rami G. Khouri
Assad's best option is to initiate deep, real reforms in Syria à la Mikhail Gorbachev’s top-down revolution in the Soviet Union, and ride that wave towards a better future for Syria and the entire region.
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The Great Libyan Distraction   by Immanuel Wallerstein
What the Saudis wanted, and what they got, was a big distraction from what they thought most urgent, and what they were doing -- a crackdown on the Arab revolt, as it affected first of all Saudi Arabia itself, then the Gulf states, then elsewhere in the Arab world.
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Regional Implications of Syria’s Crisis   by Patrick Seale
On all fronts -- Iran, Iraq, Turkey, Lebanon, Palestine, Israel -- Syria is a key player. Its distraction by internal problems reshuffles the regional cards, and adds to the general sense of insecurity and latent violence. [Revised March 30]
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Guts and Guns and Values   by Rami G. Khouri
We may be witnessing the birth of an exciting new era in which Arab and American values actually converge, for the best interest of both parties.
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Historic Challenges in Syria and Jordan   by Rami G. Khouri
Important new dynamics are taking hold in Jordan and Syria, reflecting fearless boldness in the activism of citizens who had long remained docile in the face of pervasive security controls.
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