You might find this article offending to some, but that isn’t what I’m doing. I’m simply listing some facts I found out based on what’s going on in the world these days.
Humans aren’t equals, they’re very far away from being equals. Every human has his own value, and his life has its own price. There are many factors that affect the price tag, and the importance of one’s existence.
Wealth is one of the most important factors, not the personal wealth, but the country’s. A man in a rich country is worth between 5-1000 men in a poor country. That is if the two countries share a similar population. For example, a French person’s life is more important than five Egyptians, and an American is worth 10 Indonesians.
Power is as important as wealth, an Israeli’s life is more important than at least four Jordanians and about a 1000 Somali, where nearly 3000 American lives are worth hundreds of thousands of Afghani and Iraqi lives. That is what recent history proved.
But what about a country that is wealthy and powerful, like China? Well, if you compare Russia with China, the Russians win, why? They’re both rich and powerful, true, but since the Chinese are too many, that gives the Russians much more value. Every Russian is worth 3 or 4 Chinese, at least.
I covered wealth, power, and populations. Let’s talk politics now.
If a country like Libya, is very rich, and has only 6 million people, then one’s life should worth a lot, true. But add a dictator to that mix, and you got yourself a cheap Libyan life. Until that dictator starts killing them, then their wealth gets more important than ever, and that gives the Libyans a good push. Same thing in Iraq, in a different level.
Syria, isn’t a rich or powerful country, and has a dictator, so that makes the Syrian man’s life is.. well.. worthless.
That’s why we saw the US in Iraq, and NATO in Libya, while Syrians have lost tens of thousands in the past 40 years, and the world is doing nothing. There’s nothing to gain there. They’re cheap. Let them die. Who cares, right?
Sudan and Yemen are similar situations.
As a Syrian, I now am convinced that my life is worth nothing. Hooray.
Hi Big Al. I found your post quite cynical. I'm pretty cynical non to be shocked by that. But I think your analysis is incomplete...
ReplyDeleteBy your post, It seems that western countries intervention is only linked to the economic value of the war theatre...
Of course the economy status (not only oilfields but overall market of potential consumers)and the possible gains is the first aim but you have to look to the entire context. To intervene in Syria is expensive, hard. It means to face Russia and China vetos (jeopardizing economic agreements), It menas further destabilization of Iraq, It means to face Iran (and probably open there a new war frontline), It could mean a new Afghanistan (very expensive in terms of money and electoral consensus).
This bill is considered too expensive for western countries that in this moment have to face the worse financial crisis since 1929 and Have to save their privileged world. The time of cold war and crazy military spending is over. There are no money to destinate to wargames.
I see only one way to force US and NATO to a military intervention. Try to make the Assad regime to threaten Western economic interests in Syria (locations of businesses, investments, ...). But I have no idea about the way to reach that.
Good luck Syria!
I agree with you, yet there is a different way to fix all this mess here.
ReplyDeleteLet Russia and China do the work since they love Syria so much and are afraid of what might happen here. Let Russia sort this mess.
We, Syrians believe that without the Russian help, this regime won't last long. I am against any war in the area, I don't want the US to come kill Syrians regardless of the cost.
Let Russia push the regime away politically and we, the people, will do the rest.
On the other hand, you must know that not everything I say comes from my head, but from my frustration, sadness, and depression.
Watching my people die makes me dislike the rest of the world for not doing anything about it and makes me feel worthless. That's what this is all about. It's the worst feeling I've ever had.
hi big al..
ReplyDeletei am not syrian. and i've just stumbled on your blog today.
it is a very insightful read.
i can never fathom what you're experiencing and i won't pretend that i do,
but i just want you to know, that those governments who does nothing,
they do not represent their people in anyway.
your life is not worthless.
no syrian life is worthless.
we ache with you, and our tears flow for you.
most of us are trying all we can to help,
it may not be enough but none the less we will keep on trying.
our prayers are always with you.
may God protect you at all times.
stay safe big al.
thank you very much for these precious entries.
No Human life is worthless. Only politicians life is worthless. Syrians are good than Indians as atleast you are able to revolt. Even such revolts are deaf to Indian ministers.
ReplyDelete