The deadly argument of indifference

While the slaughter continues in Syria, those that want to help remain powerless, and those that could help just remain powerful.

UN officials are "appalled" by the behaviour of Bashar al-Assad's regime, but can do nothing to stop it.

China calls for a peaceful solution, as if that is somehow less than obvious, but does nothing more.

Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov (left) and Syrian president Bashar al-Assad in Damascus on February 7 (picture: Reuters)Russia also claims the righteous high ground of non-interference while continuing to interfere in order to keep its Mediterranean port.

The U.S. Administration would rather focus on leaving Afghanistan and restoring the American economy in a presidential election year.

All the EU can do is echo the U.S. in proposing emergency humanitarian aid to victims of Assad's government – but is vague as to how it can be delivered.

Not for the first time, the Gulf States are taking a stand by, in this case, expelling Syrian diplomats and withdrawing ambassadors. The UAE has also announced it is sending humanitarian aid to Syrian refugees.

What nobody can do anything about is Assad's tribal backing – which is at odds with other Syrian tribes.

While the Arab Spring might have had its origins in economic discontent with so many unemployed youth across the region, the idea of freedom from tyranny has very soon come up against tribal and religious sects – whether it is in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya - or even Bahrain.

As Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan, the British (several times), the Soviet Union and the Americans discovered in Afghanistan: warfare against indigenous tribes just produces a mountain of waste in death, injured and lost treasure.

But as the international community has realised in Somalia and elsewhere, papering over tribal rivalry requires a lot more than billions in humanitarian aid - even if it can be delivered.

Perhaps the Russian government should be the first to deliver humanitairian aid to Syria on behalf of the UN and Arab League via its naval base in Tartus.

Be a welcome change from its usual: "Net".

-Simon Keeble