Massacres in Syria

(Inset - One victim out of 80 after Alawite Muslim massacre of Sunni civilians in the villages of al-Kubeir and Maarzaf on 6 June) Viewing Youtube clips of Syrian massacre victims is at once shocking and sadly, enlightening. While the general media present statistics to update the world on the violence in the country real footage of the war is a stark reminder that urgency is required to end the massacre of civilians and the avoidable conflict between a poorly equipped rebel force and the regime. The UN has done precious little to end the war. Rather it has played its usual game of denouncing and imposing sanctions. Its inability to effect real change has also (again) shown how useless the organization is if one or, in this case, two major Security Council members, refuse to ok stronger action. Yet what can one do? The UN is, at least, doing what it has been mandated to do. But what of other states, even those unconnected to the conflict? What of South Africa? Brazil? India? Where are these powers? While the conflict has not impacted on any countries outside of the Levant it has stained humanity’s history and one can but hope that change for the better will come soon.