The inaction of the international community over the Syrian crisis is condemnable. Bashar Assad and his evil forces have unleashed a reign of terror in the country. Every day we read about barrel bombs being dropped on civilians killing scores of people. The international community is either deaf or it wants Assad to carry out the democide. The situation is aggravating by the minute and the world leaders are just holding talks in Geneva. Talks cannot resolve this crisis. I believe Saudi Arabia is the only country that had analyzed the situation correctly. Had the international community listened to the Kingdom, this brutal dictator would have become history by now. Saudi Arabia is a key regional player and its concerns should never be taken lightly.

Apart from the Syrian crisis, Saudi concerns regarding Iran are also not unfounded. Iran is responsible for the current sectarian mess in the region. Unfortunately, the West-Iran love affair is gathering pace and I am sure it will end in a disaster. Iran can never be trusted. If the West has decided to forge an alliance with Iran, I urge the Kingdom and other Muslim countries to revisit their policies vis-à-vis the United States and the West.

Najeeb Ahmed

Dammam