Syria's Opposition: Secular disorganization VS. Islamic unity

The Syrian crisis has been going on for almost 2 years. Directly touching upon group dynamics of armed groups may be vital in predicting the outcome in Syria. What is known is that the regime, as a secular group, remains solid (with few defections here and there). Damascus and the Army remain untouched, with the latter very effective in battle. It is also commonplace that armed groups battling regime forces are divided, with some advocating secular ideals while others committing to Islamic values. One way to predict timing of regime collapse would be to evaluate how opposition groups have coped .Which of the two groups (secular & Islamists) have coped better against the regime? The Islamists obviously endorse Islamic fundamental principles and place great weight on their sacred rituals. This provides the group a clear-cut identity that dictates their behavior as individuals within the group. By outlining boundaries of the group via Islamic principles, they decrease defection rates and encourage cooperation from within. "Everyone is under the same sacred umberalla". Furthermore, Islamic groups will appeal to members of other groups who have not coped as well. These other groups advocate secular ideals and place great importance on "freedom". They have no clear-cut identity, historical narrative, or Islamic principles to dictate behavior of members within the group. Their secularism renders their group boundaries flexible. Below are some articles illustrating just this. Will Islamic groups continue prospering while secular groups dismantle further? Hope not! http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/the-west-babbles-on-and-assad-is-the-winner-8517177.html http://www.thenational.ae/thenationalconversation/comment/rebel-factions-work-against-each-other-in-syrias-civil-war#page1 http://angryarab.blogspot.com/2013/02/fsa-vs-fsa.html?spref=bl

Self-Deception in Political Preferences

http://thesituationist.wordpress.com/2013/02/22/the-implicit-party-of-independent-voters/

Onion in competition with Lebanon

Lebanon, as a country, should be one of the world's wonders! http://www.karlremarks.com/2013/02/the-onion-to-sue-lebanon-for-making-its.html">http://www.karlremarks.com/2013/02/the-onion-to-sue-lebanon-for-making-its.html