In 2011 there were nationwide protests against the iron-fisted government, and Syria began to be excitedly talked about as a prospect for democracy for the first time in its history. That would undoubtedly have meant the exit of Bashar al-Assad, Syria's longstanding President - but he wasn't about to go easily. Coming from a Shia strain of the Muslim faith which is a minority in Syria, he knew elections would mean a Sunni-led government, spelling disaster for him and his family. He hit back, brutally.
Now, after four years of civil war, the country is so seriously broken that working out how to put it back together appears impossible. It is stuck: mired in conflicting local and international agendas. And Assad is still there, slowly retaking ground against Sunni opposition groups that have fractured and even begun fighting amongst themselves.
In four years of war, around 220,000 women, men and children have been killed and nine million Syrians have fled from their homes. They are staggering statistics. Death in Syria often comes easily: from 44-gallon barrel bombs kicked out the back of Syrian government aircraft often wiping out entire city blocks, summary execution, torture, beheading, or from chemical weapon attacks.
Most atrocities go unreported.
Never has Stalin's famous remark: "a single death is a tragedy, while a million deaths is a statistic", been as true as it is in this region.
For the first time the US recently began hinting about restarting talks with Assad. In effect the US is confronting an uncomfortable reality - a choice between two evils - Assad or Isis. For now at least, Isis is enemy number one.
This change risks upsetting Sunni Arab states such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey that are determined to make Syria Sunni led. Over the past four years they have shipped money and arms to many Sunni groups fighting Assad. One of those groups was Isis.
That early support built the power and reach it has today.
But for the US, it is also an admission there is no military solution and the current political quagmire comes at horrendous human cost. Frustration extends up to the UN's Security Council.
Any UN resolution put forward that is likely to penalise Assad is vetoed by Russia, a longstanding Syrian ally. Stalemated at all levels the people of Syria can rightfully feel they are pawns in a much bigger game.
Nevertheless, New Zealand's role can be important. Through our place on the Security Council, we co-ordinate a group of nations that are pushing for an increased humanitarian intervention. In Syria humanitarian supplies have been transported across front lines to desperate, trapped populations. That has built elements of trust that have the potential to develop into a working political relationship further down the track.
The cost of our proposed military training mission in Iraq is around $30 million. That figure should be matched by our humanitarian contribution. It is help much needed - current humanitarian efforts are running on empty.
But just as important, it also bolsters our position to take an ethical lead and challenge other countries to get on board. Our time on the Security Council is short.
Putting in place mechanisms to stop cross-border trafficking in oil and arms, alongside a strengthened humanitarian response to the suffering people of Syria is a legacy New Zealanders will be proud to put their names to.
Syria campaign
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Goal:
To raise funds to support 12 million Syrians, including 5.6 million children, who have fled their homes to other parts of Syria and neighbouring countries since the Syrian civil war began four years ago.
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Partners:
The
New Zealand Herald
, broadcaster Rachel Smalley and World Vision, one of 21 non-government organisations (NGOs) working in a United Nations-led coalition in Syria and surrounding countries.
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The need:
The 21 NGOs said last week they needed US$8.4 billion ($11.4 billion) to respond to the crisis.
How can I make a donation?
You can make online donations, phone donations and offline donations.
MAKE AN ONLINE DONATION HERE
Phone donations can be made on 0800 90 5000.
Offline donations can be made by printing off the form below and filling it out (app users tap here). Or look in the print edition of the Herald.
