Beirut Spring

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The Resilient Revolution

January 31, 2012 · Mustapha Hamoui

Juan Cole:

The contest between the Baath Party in Syria and its opposition over the past year has been surprising in its perseverence and longevity despite a stand-off that has given neither side any real reason for optimism. Usually when a popular movement has no real successes for months on end, it gradually peters out, as happened in Iran in 2009–2010

To me this is the most defining feature of the Syrian uprising. Even if you don’t care about the people or the country, your curiosity must be by now begging for answers: What is it that makes people go out on demonstrations, month, after month, after month, braving real danger, fatigue and indifference from the rest of the world?