Introduction to the evening news 01-02-2012

Events in Syria are unfolding at a rapid pace, whether they be diplomatic or in the field; to the point that diplomacy and field action have become intertwined. In fact, those who make diplomatic progress are rewarded in the field, and vice versa.       

In the field, the Syrian army seems to be winning the battle against the Free Syrian Army, defectors or armed groups.           

These stand-offs shed light on an important development that drew the attention of the international media and observers who have started saying that Syria is sliding into an all-out armed conflict and true chaos.  In fact, AFP said that confrontations and killings occurred in the mixed Sunni-Alawite neighborhoods of Homs. The news wire also reported that street battles are getting closer to Damascus, quoting experts as saying that it’s no use fighting in Jebel al Zawwiya, in Idlib or even in Homs, the real challenge lies in Damascus and whomever controls it controls Syria.              

On the diplomatic level, Russia is sparing no effort to obstruct any draft law issued by the UNSC calling on president Assad to step down or military intervention. These efforts will also stand in the way of the Arab initiative that will apparently have to wait until the 11th of February instead of the 5th since the Arab ministerial committee will wait for the results of the UNSC meeting.                  

Also in Syria, but related to the situation in Lebanon, Syrian President Bashar Assad met with Foreign Minister Wiam Wahhab. This public development comes after a major turning point in MP Walid Jumblatt’s political orientation that has reached its climax when MP Jumblatt encouraged Syrian-Druze soldiers to stay home.            

In Lebanon, the stormy weather will begin to lift as of tomorrow morning, however, the administrative and services storm is just about to break over our heads.         

In light of the political deadlock over the appointments issue, the presidency is standing toe-to-toe with Aoun. This not-so-new issue coincides with the charged electricity issue.