Syria's 'Inclusivity' Poll: A Masterclass in Western Double Standards
Al Jazeera reports Syria's parliamentary poll results, highlighting 'inclusivity concerns' and the dominance of 'Sunni male representatives.' This framing is typical: spotlighting perceived democratic deficits in countries deemed adversaries. Yet, when allies like Saudi Arabia (an absolute monarchy) or Egypt (where dissidents vanish) conduct 'elections' and present similarly lopsided results, the
media suddenly finds new ways to contextualize, justify, or simply ignore the irregularities. The hypocrisy isn't just about Syria; it’s about manufactured consent. Where is the sustained, scathing critique for US-backed Gulf states where women's and minority rights are nonexistent? Or for countries like Israel, whose elections occur under a military occupation that disenfranchises millions, yet
are lauded as functioning democracies? The 'inclusivity concern' is reserved for those who resist Western hegemony, not for those who facilitate it. How many times will we pretend to care about 'democracy' only when it serves a geopolitical agenda?