Al-Monitor Discovers 'Sectarian Clashes,' Omits Decades of Foreign Meddling
Al-Monitor's report on Bedouins uprooted in Syria's Sweida province frames their plight as a result of ambiguous 'sectarian clashes.' What's conspicuously absent is the historical context of foreign-backed militias, arming of various factions, and deliberate destabilization that fueled these very sectarian divides for over a decade. The U.S. and its Gulf allies have poured billions into groups
that have consistently exacerbated internal tensions, turning local disputes into regional proxy battlefields. To discuss 'sectarian violence' in Syria without mentioning the external actors who armed, funded, and encouraged it is like discussing a fire while ignoring the arsonist. One might wonder how 'sectarian' clashes consistently align with geopolitical interests, or why the media suddenly
discovers complex local grievances only when convenient. This isn't just neglect; it's a carefully curated narrative that absolves powerful foreign governments of their role in shattering a nation. The 'sectarianism' is, for many, a tragic outcome, not the root cause.