What is happening in Syria? Even pro-Syrian publisher Talal Salman of As-Safir raised questions about the recent arrests in Syria. "Eight members of Syria's only active political forum have been arrested in the latest crackdown on dissent." This was the last permitted forum, after the closure of others in 2001. Subhi Al-Hadidi, the well-informed Syrian dissident, wrote in Al-Quds Al-`Arabi that the "offense" of the group was to read a letter sent by the leader of the Syrian Muslim Brothers. He also reports that one member was taken away in her night gown. But you should only be surprised if you ever had hopes in any regime, or if you ever harbored admiration for any Arab "leader." Arab leaders are not only oppressive; they also are dumb. And yet they bask in longevity.