Burhan Ghalioun is a Syrian intellectual, and a professor of political sociology at the Sorbonne University in Paris. He was the first president of the opposition Syrian National Council, and was author of “A manifesto for democracy”, among other books.
Comment: To achieve solutions that serve Syria's interests alone, its people and opposition must stop waiting for outside powers, friendly or otherwise, to do it for them, argues Burhan Ghalioun.
Comment: The Russian intervention in the Syrian civil war can be countered by the opposition if they win the confidence of Syrians and international public opinion, argues Burhan Ghalioun.
Comment: The international community is betraying the Syrian people by accepting the Russian-led bid to rehabilitate Bashar al-Assad in the name of fighting terrorism, argues former SNC head Burhan Ghalioun
Comment: Bashar al-Assad's fate remains the most contentious issue obstructing efforts for a peaceful resolution to the Syrian war, says Burhan Ghalioun.
Comment: The Syrian revolution has morphed from being one seeking liberation and freedom for the Syrian people, into a vicious conflict encapsulating sectarian, regional and international wars.
Comment: Propped up by Iran, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad believes he is untouchable. He can raise the bar for talks, and the opposition can do nothing in reply.
The stock response to terrorist attacks is increasing surveillance and restricting freedoms, rather than addressing the root causes. That tactic will never win.
Russia is trying to rejuvenate its role in international diplomacy by bringing the Syrian opposition and the regime together for face-to-face negotiations, but the Syrian people stand to gain little.
