The Pyrrhic Victory of Hope

Saleem Raza

Bradford: As the echoes of 25 years of suffering under the deposed Bashar al-Assad in Syria reverberate, Saleem Raza’s poignant poem The Pyrrhic Victory of Hope becomes a mirror reflecting the cost of misplaced alliances and fractured dreams .

Syria’s journey from oppression to  liberation  is a cautionary tale for nations like Pakistan, which today face their own trials and tribulations of political turmoil, institutional decay, and a disillusioned populace yearning for prosperity, stability and justice.

This reflection on Syria’s plight holds valuable lessons for Pakistan as it attempts to reclaim its democratic vision amid a storm of challenges.

Syria’s journey of liberation is that of noble aspirations of its people. It should be protected from the external manipulation and fragmentation.

On the way, the West’s involvement, ostensibly aimed at liberating Syria, soon morphed into a cynical game of power, where alliances with extremist factions like Al-Qaeda and Daesh tarnished the promise of peace.

Instead of delivering justice, these alliances created new cycles of violence, leaving the Syrian people caught between tyranny and terror.

The current situation lay bare the hollowness of a proclaimed victory achieved through moral compromises:

“An evil’s fall can’t justify,

A greater wrong beneath the sky.”

This grim reality resonates far beyond Syria, raising questions about the integrity of global politics and the true cost of revolutions manipulated by foreign hands.

Pakistan’s Struggles in the Shadow of Syria’s Lessons

Today, Pakistan finds itself at a crossroads eerily reminiscent of Syria’s darkest days. While the contexts differ, the themes of betrayal, hope, and misplaced power resonate deeply.

Political Turmoil and Betrayed Aspirations

Pakistan’s political landscape has been shaken by the removal of a popular leader, Imran Khan, through alleged conspiracies orchestrated by internal and external forces. This has led to mass protests, violent crackdowns, and a deepening rift between the people and the state.

The poem’s lament of a “victory at what heavy cost” applies here, as Pakistan’s establishment risks alienating its own citizens by silencing dissent and suppressing democratic expression.

Like Syria, Pakistan has often been a pawn in the geopolitical strategies of global powers. From Cold War-era alliances to the War on Terror, Pakistan’s sovereignty has been undermined by external pressures.

The parallels to Syria’s externally driven conflict are stark: the manipulation of internal strife to serve foreign agendas has left both nations grappling with weakened institutions and fractured societies.

The article’s central theme is taken from my English Poem related to the subject that true hope cannot bloom from seeds of fear or alliances with terror resonates with Pakistan’s current struggle.

The crackdown on peaceful protesters, judicial partiality, and the militarisation of civilian affairs echo Syria’s descent into lawlessness. Justice, as the poem reminds us, must be rooted in truth:

“True hope is built on integrity,

Not from fire, not from swords,

But justice born in truthful words.”

What Can Pakistan Learn from Syria’s Meltdown?

Syria’s alliances with extremist factions under the guise of revolution led to the devastation of its social fabric. Pakistan must avoid similar mistakes by rejecting policies and partnerships that compromise its democratic princi… Part-1

The author, a Pakistan-born creative based in Bradford, UK, is a versatile talent celebrated as a designer, artist, and poet. They hold a postgraduate degree in fashion design from London, showcasing their expertise in both artistic and academic pursuits.