What Syria needs is an informed and mobilized public that is ready to
challenge authority on every stance. The days of obedience and
unquestionable loyalty are over. The walls of fear should be
demolished and the chains of submission must be dismantled. A
fundamental belief that all women and men are created equal needs to
be established. A celebration of diversity instead of suspicion in
others ought to be the attitude. The fact that Damascus and Aleppo
have not revolted should raise many questions. People of great
knowledge, wealth, and wisdom reside in these cities. Their views
should be studied and their concerns should be considered. Anti-regime
protesters have a grave task ahead of them. Not on the battlefield but
in the hearts and minds of every Damascene and Aleppine. Weapons of
pens and keyboards not swords and rifles should be in every hand. An
armed confrontation will only dramatically increase the bloodshed.
There is still a place for soft power, the word of mouth, debate, and
education. All that is worth it takes time. Because what Syria needs
is a countrywide reconstruction not an illusion of a revolution.
