Syria Needs Another Lawrence

Petra, where Lawrence of Arabia roamed

Protests widen in Syria. Revolutions come home to roost in a country that was created in the chaos after World War I, a war whose revolutionary atmosphere is still alive and well in the Arab world. Syrians protesting in the streets have been joined by tribal members, some army groups, and Bedouins during this Arab Spring. Disorder in Deraa in the border area has spread to Aleppo and Damascus.

Two days ago was called the Friday of Defiance as people took to the streets after prayers. A bus full of intelligence forces opened fire on protestors, killing 15 in Homs according to a You Tube video and an article in the Saturday, May 7, 2011 edition of the Wall Street Journal, “Syria Protests Gain New Supporters.” The incident led to the army clashing with government intelligence forces in a country where the army elite come from a separate caste of society called Alawhite and the rank and file are Suni.

The Syrian Desert saw the exploits of Lawrence of Arabia almost one hundred years ago. He helped the Arab Bedouins throw off the yoke of the Ottoman Turkish Empire during the Arab Revolt phase of the Great War. The services of another Lawrence are needed now to overthrow the Assad family and prevent the country from descending into civil war.