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Where’s Syria? There’s Syria.
Governments fall, governments abandon.
December 9
“I forgot, is Syria next to Iran?”
“You mean, Lebanon.”
(Ignoring) “No? Um, Russia, then. That’s right: Syria is next to Russia.”
“That’s Turkey.”
“Well, where is Syria?”
“Next to Iraq. And Israel.”
This improbable conversation took place last week, on Tuesday, December 10, to be precise. Human Rights Day.
My friend, had called to announce to the world — me — that Syria had ‘fallen.’ I’ll refer to him as liberal ‘bro. (LB) He says he likes to call me “my professor.”
Here’s how our discussion continued.
LB: Well, whaddya’ think? That revolution took no time. Wow. One day and Assad is fleeing to Russia. Surprised me. Wow. (Pause) Were you surprised?
Me: Uh, it took 13 years for Assad to be toppled. And there was no revolution — not what we associate with revolutions. There was a surrender.
LB: Who surrendered?
Me: The Syrian military forces aligned with Al Assad.
LB: Wow. Now I am confused.
Me: You’re confused?
