How I detest that scene: when Arab "republican" leaders cuddle tribal elders when they are in trouble. As was known, Arab republican regimes came to power to undermine the old social order which gave (under colonialism) tremendous powers to the tribal elders. At first, Iraqi and Syrian Ba`thists undermined the power of tribal elders, but when they feel threatened (Saddam started this after 1991) they pamper the tribal elders and seek their support. Bashshar has been cultivating tribal elders for a while now. He met with some of those reactionary elements yesterday. How I detest those tribal elders in every Arab country: for me, they symbolize collaboration with colonialism, misogyny, archaic social values, and unprincipledness.