Image of the Day

Christians may feel more frightened than other Syrians, but
everybody feels vulnerable. There was no fighting on the road from
Damascus to Maloula, but there are many wrecked buildings from battles
in the past couple of months. Once the main road to Homs was crowded
with car showrooms, but these are now closed and their plate glass
windows are protected from blast damage by hurriedly built walls of
concrete blocks.
Better-off Christians are able to escape abroad, but for those with
little money this is a difficult option. One Armenian, who did not want his
name published, said "we can go to Lebanon, but it is expensive to stay
there, jobs are difficult to get and Lebanese don't like Syrians much
because our army was there for so long". He himself was seeking
Armenian citizenship.
As with others in Damascus the degree of danger felt depends on
precise location. Many Christians live in Jaramana district that is now
dangerous from snipers and bombers. The Christian parts of the Old City
are safer, but there are electricity cuts and a shortage of diesel. So far the
sufferings of the Christians of Syria are no worse than those of the
Muslims, but they feel that whatever the outcome of the civil war, their
future will most likely be worse than their past.
Patrick Cockburn: Syria: The descent into Holy War
World View: The world decided to back the rebels last week, but this
is no fight between goodies and baddies