"Why was it OK to intervene in Libya then, but not in Syria now?"

By Marion Grouès

Paul Vallely, from The Independant: Why the West pussyfoots around Assad

Talk of the "complexity and nuances" of the Syrian case has led to political paralysis, and will do nothing to help the city of Homs […] The Independent, Sunday February 2012, 26th

This "stupid" question is at the heart of British writer Paul Vallely's refection. Oil is not the only reason behind the different reactions of the international community. Compared to Bachar el Assad, Gaddafi was an easy target, regretted by none.

Syria, however, has more power on the international scene. Chemically armed and holding a consequent army, this small country has powerful allies who have little sticks. Today, due to fear, both China and Russia reaffirm their support for Syria's dictatorial regime and oppose their veto to any UN resolution. They hide a past they are not proud of, Chechnya for Russia, Tibet for China.

Syria is Russia's last ally in the Middle East and their last opening in the Mediterranean. Russia's direct investments in Syria flourish. Soviet power is selling a huge amount of weapons to this small country. For Iran, Syria, which is governed by a Shia, is a key ally in the fight against Israel.

Westerners are paralyzed by the situation. Traditionally allied with the Sunnis (the Gulf to Egypt) they are also afraid that al-Qaeda (a Sunni organization) will take advantage of the situation and come to power. Moreover, Syrian opposition is weak and divided. The Syrian National Council is not very representative of its population's diversity, which is composed of intellectuals, Islamists and activists. Their propositions wobble between negotiation and foreign intervention.

The international community does not want to commit the same mistakes they made in Afghanistan, arming rebels to promote the emergence of the Taliban movement. Furthermore, the United Nations faced the matter on the front lines which appears not to be clear enough. The establishment of a “no fly zone,” as was done in Lybia, is thus very complicated. The repression is pursued by highly experienced, nasty forces that are extremely difficult to fight.

The international community is not ready to intervene but when will they be? For the people of Homs it is already too late. This reaction has occurred the same way several times, in Rwanda and in Srebrenica.

Don't forget that we have the privilege of choosing where we live or die, the people of Homs do not.