The United States insists that it did not tell the Syrian government when strikes on Islamic State (ISIS) and Jabhat al-Nusra bases on Syrian territory were due to begin. For its part, the Syrian government insists that it was informed. First, it said that an intermediary from the Iraqi government had brought an American letter. Then it said the US ambassador at the United Nations had told Syria’s UN ambassador about the deadline, and later still that it had been briefed on preparations for the strikes. America replied to this commotion by stating that its ambassador to the UN had told the world the strikes were about to begin at a press conference. Syria had been informed in the same way any viewer of CNN or Fox News was informed.

 

So, the United States says it has violated the Syrian government’s sovereignty over its own territory, and the Syrian Government says that what happened was not a breach of sovereignty. The insolence of “the invading colonizer” meets the affability, meekness and denial of “the colonized.”

 

“Denial” is the right word. The Syrian response is just another instance of the Arab Baath Socialist performance that spans decades of “resistance” and tyranny. The Israeli Air Force carries out raids on regime army bases. Western press leaks the news a few days later. Israel admits to carrying out the raid. The resisting, tyrannical and submissive regime is silent. A few days later, it says it will respond at the appropriate time and in the appropriate place. Basically, decades that have seen dozens of Israeli raids all over Syrian territory have passed, and we still have not managed to decide on “the appropriate time” and “the appropriate place.”

 

The anti-imperialists have waited a long time. We have waited with them, and seen no response. The strange thing is that this situation has not led to its logical conclusion. Damascus still endures as “the fortress of resistance.” Damascus, which helped sell out Carlos the Jackal and engaged in bargaining over Abdullah Ocalan, is still “the fortress of resistance.” Even taking part in the 1991 Gulf War alongside “the colonizer” did not harm its reputation.

 

Today, for example, the Syrian regime has been quicker to accept the American raids on ISIS bases in Raqqa than Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Syria welcomed the raids, whereas Turkey expressed reservation. Despite this, while the anti-imperialists – who reject the US-led campaign – were open-minded towards Damascus accepting a violation of its sovereignty, they interpreted Ankara’s stance as support for ISIS.

 

So, the matter has nothing to do with a logical succession of stances. On the basis of you taking this stance, conducting yourself in this way, or committing this violation, my stance on you will be this. The matter is decided before you take your stances or commit any violations. We are with you even if you insult our “values” and our claims. Sometimes we are with you even if you kill us (like the position of Lebanese Communists on the Syrian regime and most Shiite parties in Iraq). We are with you because you are a part of our sectarianism and because anti-imperialism is no more than a web of interests that cannot accommodate values. If you accept “the American invasion,” it is not important, because your sovereignty has already been violated by Israeli jets and we did not bat an eyelid. Kill, and we are with you, little commander. We may not have much respect or reverence left for you, but we believe that you must remain, even if you are humiliated and submissive.

 

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem said he was told when the raids would start, and America said it did not tell him. The anti-imperialists said that while they consider the raids an imperial invasion, they understand why the Syrian regime has welcomed the American invasion.