Syrian-American Journalist Maytha AlHassen

We speak with journalist, poet and PhD candidate Maytha Alhassen a Syrian-American whose parents and immediate family are still in Syria dealing with the threat of US Intervention.

In our interview the former Al Jazeera host, gives us an in-depth historical breakdown of what life has been like for most Syrians and who are the main players competing for power in this latest conflict. She made it clear this conflict is not two-sided as they like to project here in the US..

Maytha notes its very complicated with many outside forces fueling tensions between various ethnic, religious and sectarian factions that for the most part had managed to co-exist peacefully for decades.

The conflict is also causing major tensions on the borders. Turkey sees things one way. Lebanon sees it another. It’s not easy for those in Syria to simply get up and bounce to another country.

Maytha pointed out there’s a long and sordid history of what it means when the US intervenes in global conflict and so even as there is lots of bloodshed and drama, the US jumping in may make things worse and lead to greater destabilization. The recent interventions in Libya and Iraq were not successful and underscores the United State’s track record is not being very good. There’s a lot to be concerned about and the way things are unfolding suggests that the US wants to jump in, not to save lives but to satisfy, economic and political interests.

At the same time Maytha noted that sitting in a house in Southern Cali is a bit privileged and that family and friends who are on the ground have mixed feelings about this. Some want the US to jump in, believing they can put a quick end to the bloodshed, others do not. What’s clear is that President Assad has been oppressive and so have the folks who served before him hence anything to kick up dust has the potential to move things forward.

For others they are clear, that those vying for power are not all that democratic themselves and in a sense there is the risk of trading one oppressive figure for another. The people caught in the middle are average everyday Syrians who bearing the brunt of the onslaught from all sides.

Check out this incredible insightful interview by clicking the links below

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hard knock radio_09-05-2013 Syria 101

Wanted to add a couple of piece to this interview.. Below are a couple of songs from Syrian Rapper Omar Offendum

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXjEWrhkb6g

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0cvl4O9pbE

Here we have a recent TV interview on Syrian State TV where they go in on President Obama calling him a lowlife and a begger who has lacked an agenda for Black people in the US and is a hypocrite for wanting to bomb Syria while he drones children in other countries. At the same time this same man spews racial insults when referring to British Prime Minister David Cameron who he says he will send to Africa to be eaten by cannibals

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=riFAeUZZtLA