Neither Assad nor Tehran is on the brink of collapse, a writer argues

Despite changes in neighbouring countries, the Assad regime is not yet near the abyss

Recent developments in the Syrian crisis won't much change the realities of the ongoing war. They won't break the balance of power on the field that has been feeding the crisis with more chaos, now oozing into neighbouring countries, wrote George Samaan, a contributing columnist in the pan-Arab newspaper Al Hayat.

"With escalating tensions come escalating assumptions and wishful thinking," he said. "But, these are nothing but delusions."

Despite the fact that its fate is sealed, the Damascus regime is nowhere near the edge of the abyss at the moment. And despite the parliament's authorisation for cross-border military operations, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's Turkey isn't about to go to war.

Iran, for its part, isn't about to collapse or at least give up its nuclear ambitions in exchange for lifting the economic sanctions, no matter how low its rial sinks. Lebanon still holds on to its neutrality policy and Jordan is in no position to allow it to escalate tensions with its neighbour.

"Since the onset of the Syrian revolution, it has been evident that the region will be susceptible to chaos and tensions. Various internal crises in surrounding countries confirm that this revolution has become an important component in their own political progress, which complicates these countries' already faltering ability to provide the necessary elements for a regional compromise," opined the writer.

Syrian President Bashar Al Assad has been relentlessly trying to export the crisis across the border.

Perhaps he thinks that dragging Turkey into a battlefield confrontation would open the way for the intervention of other powers in the fight. But his wager on a possible involvement by his Russian, Iranian or Chinese allies may be misplaced, since it's highly unlikely that they would risk the lives of their troops to defend his regime.

Mr Erdogan doesn't want to slip into a full-fledged military confrontation, but, faced with mounting pressures, he had to raise the challenge and brandish an ultimatum of war.

He is facing increasing opposition from within for his government's support for the Syrian National Council and the Free Army, and he's worried about the influx of militants and extremists into Syria, close to his doorstep.

The Syrian strife is also stoking internal tensions in Iran. The streets of Tehran, weighed down by severe international economic sanctions, are boiling with outrage at announced financial and logistical aid to Damascus.

However, Iranian support for the Assad regime isn't expected to stop anytime soon unless a major change were to occur in the equation, which would force Iran to review its position.

Until that happens, no variations can be expected in the foreseeable future for Syria, the writer concluded.

Empty promises of investment in Egypt

In May 2011, G8 leaders pledged US$20 billion (Dh 73.46 billion) to $40 billion in aid to post-revolution Egypt and Tunisia. But the promises turned out to be a mirage, although there was $500 million deposited by Saudi Arabia in Egypt's central bank, and a similar amount by Qatar, remarked Fahmi Huwaidi in the Cairo-based paper Al Shorouk.

"Yet, we have not learnt from our mistakes, as new pie-in-the-sky promises have emerged," the writer said. "Ordinary people are being largely manipulated by media outlets, particularly state-owned ones."

To figure out the magnitude of this deception, one needs only to check the front pages of Egyptian newspapers issued during President Mohammed Morsi's visits to China and Turkey, he argued.

When Mr Morsi paid a visit to Beijing, the press reported that China would invest $5 billion, but it was just a proposal not a deal. Also reported was a $2 billion Turkish aid package for Cairo.

"There were also statements about scores of European investments following recent visits to Cairo by European officials, together with a sea of illusion the media tried to drown us with after a delegation of senior US economic officials visited Egypt," the writer said.

The government and the media must not deceive people with empty promises of immediate prosperity, for prosperity takes time, and investors seek their own interests above all.

Some Emiratis need guides to explore UAE

"It seems that we are in need of tourist guides to give us an insight into our own country," wrote Ibrahim Al Hashemi in yesterday's edition of the UAE-based newspaper Al Khaleej.

The writer started his article by describing his trip to Europe. A friend living in France had invited him to explore the beauties of that country.

The writer noted that his friend showed him around the place perfectly. "It was a lovely and wonderful tour that spanned every neighbourhood and corner."

The friend told stories about each place. He spoke about the celebrities who lived there and the builders of each landmark, telling funny stories about some areas and showing the writer the house museum of the French novelist Honoré de Balzac.

He was "like a tourist guide who knew everything by heart", the writer said. "This led me to mull over the scenario of a visitor coming here seeking a tour around different areas of the UAE," he added.

What would the hosts tell their visitors? Would they know the origin of the name Abu Dhabi and its former name, for instance? Would they know when Al Fahidi Fort in Dubai was built, the history of Umm Al Qaiwain, the culture of Umm An Nar, or how the UAE emerged? Could they tell any of these stories?

* Digest compiled by The Translation Desk

translation@thenational.ae