Introduction to the evening news 02-11-2011

After seven and a half months of unrest in Syria, can we now say that these events have been put on the right track toward a positive outcome?     

From the seventeenth of March until now the second of November, no drastic measures have been taken in Syria, but tonight, something happened: an Arab League official announced that Syria agreed on the entire Arab initiative with no reservations.     

The Arab initiative calls on Syria to stop all acts of violence from any source, the release of detainees, withdrawal of armed parties from all cities and districts and and to open the way for Arab organizations [members of the Arab League] and the media to move freely within Syria. After the Arab League presents this initiative, it will begin preparing for a national dialogue in Syria    

In this regard, many questions can be raised: Did we take a big decision or was the “Big Decision” taken to stop Syrian unrest? And who took this decision?    

What would be the reaction of both sides in Syria, the regime and the oppositions? How would the items included in this initiative be applied? Which side is to implement it first? Will the regime withdraw the Syrian army from the streets, and what will be the opposition’s reaction?    

Will the Arab initiative or solution be given a green light? And where does Turkey stand in all of this?    

While we are waiting for the answers, what is the title of this new phase that has begun? Did Syria crash the Arab Spring? How would the opposition respond to the initiative after calling for the toppling of the Syrian regime?    

No answers before both the Syrian regime and the opposition give their feedback on the initiative. But before being given the chance to do so, the White House has already renewed its calls for Assad’s ouster.

This event overshadowed all other domestic or international developments today.