If there is an abundance of any commodity, it is condemnation. Every time something horrific occurs the leaders of the world send out a “condemnation of the heinous act.” If they happen to be in conference like the G-20 in Ankara, this is the standard line. The UN issues it by rote, like they probably have a code like those mobile telephone auto messages: I am busy, will call later or Sorry, can’t take your call now or We condemn the Paris blasts.
While it is heartening that President Obama and President Putin have cracked the ice and might get on the same page concerning Syria one has to be more than a little worried about what that page would be if the end of the last act is an Assad-run government in situ and the rebels at the negotiating table. It is difficult to see such a development and even more taxing to imagine a durable peace predicated to this option.
Indeed, while the guns may be silenced there is always that fear that the slightest provocation will set them off again. To go a step further, it will be like walking on eggshells and thorns at the same time. What exactly is the texture of the phrase “a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political transition?” At this moment, one has to be of a very sanguine mind to see it as a major breakthrough in stopping the bleeding of a nation.
As for the stepped up battle against Daesh following the Paris blasts, the G-20 has made statements of intent but that sense of togetherness and the will to move in unison against what is a ghostly and impossible to pin down entity is still nascent. Bombing the strongholds will never resolve the problem entirely and like the hydra head for each one knocked off another will grow.
If these nations have realized that terrorism is a global problem and that no one is exempt, then that could be the first genuine step toward creating defense.
So far, the unity has been cracked and disjointed besides being largely convincing. The US-EU-Russian disparity in their respective stands on this issue has actually given terrorist activity a boost. If they mean business, they must now lead the G-193 (all the members of the UN) in a consolidated effort even if it calls for boots on the ground.
Against this backdrop while it is a relief that EU leaders have agreed not to let the Paris carnage impact negatively on the stream of refugees making for Europe and ensure the divide between terrorists and Muslims per se is strongly underscored the reality is often molded by perception.
Often sheer fear fanned by opportunistic politicians and fed by stereotyping and provoked hostility makes people create targets out of innocents. It would be incredibly naive to assume that the fresh migrants will not have to pay some price for what happened in Paris. There is always a fallout and being innocent is no armor against it, more is the pity.
One can only hope that the G-20 voice is heard and the rage is aimed at those who perpetuate crimes against humanity.
