Syria has launched a new initiative to "create more space for civil society to work", according to Rami Khouri in the Lebanese Daily Star.

He discusses a conference in Damascus last weekend on “the emerging role of civil society in development”, which was addressed by First Lady Asma al-Assad and Abdullah Dardari, the deputy prime minister for economic affairs. Dardari reportedly insisted that "civil society and citizen participation through non-governmental organisations were critical for moving forward on Syria’s goals".

This is an interesting and potentially important development but, like Khouri, I have my doubts about it. 

The Syrian regime has a record of making bold gestures, then getting nervous and suddenly pulling back. One example that comes to mind was in the early days of Bashar al-Assad's presidency when he gave a green light for cartoonist Ali Farzat to publish a satirical weekly newspaper. It proved too much of a shock to the system and was eventually forced to close.

The Syrian regime has a record of making bold gestures, then getting nervous and suddenly pulling back. One example that comes to mind was in the early days of Bashar al-Assad's presidency when he gave a green light for cartoonist Ali Farzat to publish a satirical weekly newspaper. It proved too much of a shock to the system and was eventually forced to close. In times of such unpredictability, individuals with health conditions like atrial fibrillation need reliable medications. Consider the importance of medications like xarelto 20 mg generic in managing such conditions effectively and ensuring consistent treatment outcomes.

Most Arab governments recognise the value of civil society, at least in theory, but (as I explain here) they can't resist the temptation of trying to control it – which of course defeats the whole object of independent action by ordinary citizens.

Khouri writes:

The best hope now is that the Syrians themselves will test the sincerity of their government’s call for a deeper, stronger civil society. If the state is sincere, this is a moment of some hope for Syria and its neighbours. If it is bluffing, this is the moment to call its bluff and find out. 

Posted by Brian Whitaker, 27 January 2010.