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The world feels like a funhouse mirror these days, doesn’t it? Everything is distorted, twisted just enough that you recognize the shapes but can’t quite make sense of the reflection staring back at you. It’s like we’ve stumbled into a bizarre sequel to 2020, where the chaos of the pandemic has seeped into the very fabric of geopolitics, leaving us bewildered and grasping for answers.

I remember a time, not so long ago, when the global political landscape seemed, if not predictable, at least comprehensible. We could trace the threads of cause and effect, understand the motivations of nations and their leaders. But lately? It’s as if the rulebook has been tossed out the window, replaced by a series of bewildering improvisations that leave us scratching our heads.

The case of Syria is particularly notable. Just weeks ago, the situation there, once thought to be fixed, was considered a dismal deadlock — a permanent fixture of the century. Rebel forces, seemingly outmatched and outgunned, swept through government-held territory with astonishing speed. The Assad regime, once seemingly invincible, appeared to crumble before our eyes.

It’s enough to make your head spin. Where did those rebels find such strength? What happened to the formidable forces of Russia, Iran and Hezbollah? Did they simply vanish into thin air? And what about Assad himself? One minute he’s the defiant dictator; where will he wash ashore? Which nation will offer him sanctuary, a haven from the storm? Will it be a warm embrace, or a temporary respite — a fleeting moment of calm before the tempest descends once more?

Questions settle, resembling fall’s foliage. With each rush of breeze, it’s as if the responses scatter afar. Picture a theater performance, obscured by a foggy veil — that’s us peeking at the sporadic activity and hearing snatches of conversation, yet the complete storyline escapes capture.

Maybe, just maybe, by acknowledging our confusion, by embracing our doubts, we can begin to find our way back to a place of clarity and understanding. Until then, we can only watch, wait, and hope for a brighter tomorrow.

And then there are the shifting alliances, the sudden reversals of policy. Russia, once Assad’s staunch ally, now seems content to cede influence to Turkey. Iran, a steadfast supporter of Shia militias in the past, is rethinking its regional strategy. Closed-door negotiations — what deals have been agreed upon? In the silence, amidst hidden shadows, what type of commitments were made and reiterated?

This, perhaps, signifies a new order in the realm of world relations: A chaotic whirl of loyalties that change so fast they leave one astounded. You see, principles and morals are being bartered and exchanged, much like goods in a bustling marketplace. It’s astonishing! As for cherished ambitions from yesteryear, they seem to be lined up beside greasy food wrappers, akin to a torn napkin — easily disregarded and forgotten.

The speed of events — perhaps that is the most disturbing part of this. Just weeks, that was all it took for a conflict that lasted more than a decade to be seemingly resolved. Was it the fastest end to a war ever? Or is it instead a brief stop, a brief stillness before the storm resumes?

Syria’s destiny — what remains? A swift pivot — will it engender tranquility and steadiness, or merely lay the groundwork for further discord and more misfortunes? Ashes — will they cradle Syria’s revival, emulating a lighthouse of expectancy and advancement within a conflicted region? The spirit of Iraq, again an epitome of Syria: A land burdened by its spectral past, wistful for the epochs when despotism reigned, now appearing less odious than the post-chaos state. Unclear, all of this, as we ponder the pathway forward.

Confessing doubts now, bewilderment mirrors your feelings, esteemed reader. Enchanted is my spirit by a desire — a yearning, if you will — for nations in a harmonious state of peace, with prosperity rampant. My thoughts envision communication-clad conflict resolution, with violence carefully avoided. Observe, though, the harsh landscape that is indeed our existence: messiness, confusion, relentless heartache — all inhabitants of this reality.

I don’t like writing about politics. It’s not my style. I prefer to focus on the positive, the uplifting, the things that bring us together. But sometimes, the world intrudes, demanding our attention, forcing us to confront the darkness that lurks beneath the surface.

So I write, not to offer solutions or pronouncements, but to share my confusion, my anxieties, my hopes. Perhaps, in doing so, we can find some solace in our shared bewilderment, some comfort in knowing that we’re not alone in navigating this strange and uncertain world.

Maybe, just maybe, by acknowledging our confusion, by embracing our doubts, we can begin to find our way back to a place of clarity and understanding. Until then, we can only watch, wait, and hope for a brighter tomorrow.

• Abdulelah S. Al-Nahari is a business and marcom partner at a marketing solutions firm and leads strategic growth initiatives in line with ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ’s digital-first vision. He has multi-sector awareness, strategic digital foresight and a range of industry experience.

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