Syria, December 8, 2024
Syria, December 8, 2024
December 8, 2024
As I wait for more information about the tragic explosion in The Hague that claimed lives, and while the final F1 race and the season in Abu Dhabi has concluded, breaking news arrives: the Assad regime in Syria has fallen. A civil war that began in 2011 as part of the Arab Spring may now be entering its next phase.
The Syrian people revolted against a failing economy and high unemployment, sparking widespread protests. Assad retaliated with force, triggering a devastating civil war that has raged for over a decade. Now, with his regime toppled, the question is: is this the start of a new, hopefully better chapter for Syria?
Syria reminds us once again how difficult it is to overthrow an un-democratic government, even one that initially came to power through democratic means.
Meanwhile, the world continues to turn, with crises unfolding in places that often go unnoticed from Cura?ao. Consider France’s government turmoil, trouble within the Dutch coalition parties, or the privatization experiments in Chile and Suriname—outdated strategies with predictable outcomes. In El Salvador, safety has been restored under a heavy-handed approach, fueling economic growth, yet dissenting voices persist.
And then there’s Cura?ao, with its own dramas unfolding.
Syria’s story underscores a universal truth: building democracy is neither simple nor swift.
Miguel Goede