Steven Brodner's BICYCLE features WRC Illustration

This horrible story about the torture and murder of a young boy by his government out of Syria can be read here.

My image and text response has been featured on Steven Brodner's BICYCLE (website), as part of his ongoing Human Rights Art Project. 

WRC on stevebrodner.com

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HAMZA al-KHATIB

Every US president, starting with Richard Nixon and ending with Bill Clinton has paid Damascus, the capitol of Syria, an official state visit. This tradition came to an end with Bush the Lesser, the invention of the Axis of Evil, and the implementation of his doctrine. For Bush, problems in the middle east do not concern Israeli occupation of Arabic land, but stems from terrorism. And according to the Bush doctrine, terrorist groups are tied to petty Arabic despots, allowing them to continue oppression over their people. This of course continues the cycle that because these peoples are oppressed, terrorists are made and continue to attack targets.  Since democratic governments tend to be friendly to Israel and the west, the administration took action introducing and forcing “democracy” into the region, rather than help solve the occupation issues. The results of this of course have been a complete failure, simply furthering the tragedy and disaster befallen the Iraqi and Afghani peoples.

Now with Obama, the doctrine has shifted to one where the people of the middle east are allowed to elect any government they choose, just as long as the administration approves. If the US does not approve of the power, than sever penalizations and sanctions are made against the nation. So, is Syria a democracy according to the US western standards?

No.

Is this a good thing?

Yes.

Especially since it finally appears that evolution is growing from within the nation itself. The praying on frustrations of Arab youth, by both their own governments and governments abroad, seems to be sparking revolution across the region. The recent mutilation and murder of 13 year old, Hamza al-Khatib, by his own government, has only served to further move Syrian peoples against Bahsar al-Assad and his security forces. Socially, economically, educationally, and politically, the future promises progress for Syria, and Hamza al-Khatib is a symbol of that promise. Syria deserves a better future. And though true democracy is an unattainable ideal, the Arab world has already demanded that Libyan Colonel Moammar Qaddafi step down, along with Yemen’s Ali Saleh. It seems only a matter of time until popular demands against Bashar al-Assad reach the same intensity. To these young Syrian revolutionaries, I say the sky only is the limit. Peace between the Arabs and Israel is inevitable. Political progress, political modernization, more democracies, more freedoms, are inevitable. Even at this very moment, with mandates out of the ICC, and the coalitions in Brussels and Antalya, and the defections of Syrian troops, I believe we are witnessing the beginning of the end for al-Assad. My hope is that the leaderless Syrian uprising might find itself headed by a young, peaceful symbol who promises results previously unknown to the nation and to Arabia, as they continue to cultivate their Spring.

© WRC Illustration & Design 2011. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.