"Regarding Syria, we already call for dialogue between Syria and all parties concerned, in order to avoid any kind of escalation in the region which may expose the whole area to chaos"
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Diplomacy is doing two things at once: sounding humane while quietly drawing a line around what you are unwilling to do. Ali A. Saleh’s appeal for “dialogue between Syria and all parties concerned” isn’t just a plea for conversation; it’s a strategic attempt to widen responsibility and soften accountability. “All parties concerned” is the key euphemism. It makes the conflict feel like a crowded room of equals rather than a hierarchy of power, culpability, and asymmetry. The phrase invites everyone to the table while naming no one, which is exactly how you keep doors open in a region where naming names can trigger consequences.
The second half of the sentence reveals the pressure point: escalation isn’t framed as morally wrong so much as operationally dangerous. The argument is pragmatic, almost technocratic: prevent “any kind of escalation” because it could “expose the whole area to chaos.” “Chaos” is a loaded regional shorthand, conjuring refugee flows, sectarian spillover, proxy wars, and economic shockwaves. It’s not only fear-mongering; it’s an implicit reminder that Syria’s violence has never stayed neatly inside Syria.
Saleh’s specific intent is to position dialogue as the only responsible posture when military moves are on the table. The subtext: outside actors should restrain themselves, regional actors should de-escalate, and no one should be forced to pick a side publicly. As a writer, he’s adopting the language of statesmen because it carries authority: procedural nouns (“dialogue,” “escalation,” “region”) that turn a moral crisis into a manageable risk calculation. That’s the rhetorical trick - it makes “doing less” sound like the most mature form of action.
The second half of the sentence reveals the pressure point: escalation isn’t framed as morally wrong so much as operationally dangerous. The argument is pragmatic, almost technocratic: prevent “any kind of escalation” because it could “expose the whole area to chaos.” “Chaos” is a loaded regional shorthand, conjuring refugee flows, sectarian spillover, proxy wars, and economic shockwaves. It’s not only fear-mongering; it’s an implicit reminder that Syria’s violence has never stayed neatly inside Syria.
Saleh’s specific intent is to position dialogue as the only responsible posture when military moves are on the table. The subtext: outside actors should restrain themselves, regional actors should de-escalate, and no one should be forced to pick a side publicly. As a writer, he’s adopting the language of statesmen because it carries authority: procedural nouns (“dialogue,” “escalation,” “region”) that turn a moral crisis into a manageable risk calculation. That’s the rhetorical trick - it makes “doing less” sound like the most mature form of action.
Quote Details
| Topic | Peace |
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