“De toutes les passions, la peur est celle qui affaiblit le plus le jugement.”
–Cardinal de Retz (17th century)
The Armenian Weekly
Aug. 18, 2012
I don’t have any ambitions to bring something more or new to what has already been said about the crisis in Syria. So much has been written that it seems redundant even to add a single line. Yet, we have no choice: The war in Syria and its inevitable and often unanticipated consequences touches us, Armenians, all over the planet.
We have to return and return to it, because as the war unfolds with renewed fervor, up into the light surfaces all of those long-silenced and unresolved issues, the massive geopolitical entanglement that has had the greater Middle East in its grip for almost a century.
A list of peoples and nations have been waiting for an opening, a chance to reshuffle everything—allies, foes, borders, alignments. The threat of total war in the region has been on the horizon for decades; one could even say that Iranians, Turks, Arabs, Kurds, (Armenians?) and a whole range of minorities have now woken up after a long drawn-out wait, in anticipation of the right time and opportunity, and they have been doing this since the infamous Picot-Sykes Agreement. That agreement gave birth to the map of the Middle East we are familiar with today. (Named after its two negotiators, the French Georges Picot and the British Sir Mark Sykes, the agreement was a secret understanding made between France and Britain in 1916 regarding the dismemberment of the Ottoman Empire.)
Why should this be of special interest to us Armenians? After all, the re-ordering of the region has been going on for at least a decade now.
This time, however, the war in Syria and its potential repercussions risk over-turning the “familiar” world we have learned to live with; and it promises a broader re-ordering of the region in which Kurdish aspirations are just one part of a very complex picture.
Many of the problems in the present-day Middle East are traced to the Sykes-Picot map, which introduced the state system to the region. The Armenian, Palestine, and Kurdish Questions are cases in point. The current swelling uproar and revolts have exposed the fragility of the security system and geopolitical order that were inflicted upon the region.
The national borders of the region’s countries do not correspond to the communities’ differing identity narratives. Yet, how genuine is the interest and engagement of the international community in redrawing the map?
The events on the ground in Syria, what happened in Iraq and Lebanon, show that the parties will fight to the end in order to avoid a re-mapping of the region. What must be added to the major actors’ perspective is stability and untouchable borders. Syria will show where the line is drawn for tolerance, or the lack of tolerance.
What is interesting for us Armenians is not how or in what ways President Assad and his regime will perish, but rather what will happen when it collapses. Syria’s downfall will probably bring down the “whole temple.” As Assad falls down, he will bring down with him as many as possible. That will leave us with an uncertain future for decades to come, while the repercussions of the downfall produce a volatile region being nurtured by prolonged instability.
Some believe that exporting chaos will be the name of the game. And that the consequences of the possible shake-up of the uncertain political and social structures will reverberate across the entire region, engulfing not only a future fragmented Syria, but also Turkey, Jordan, Iran, Lebanon, Israel, and likely the South Caucasus.
What does this chaos mean and how will the new security structure borne from this chaos inform our future as a nation living in its midst?
Can we make predictions? Can we prepare ourselves for the unforeseen, although we all know that predictions are always tricky?
Across the world, Armenians outside and inside Armenia have been struck by fear. Fear is the passion that blurs judgment. And in a naive way, we have mainly focused on a specific aspect of the conflict, that is, the security of the Armenian community in Syria. In an attempt to alleviate our fears we have called for immediate action for our blood brothers. While this reaction is understandable and reasonable, the analysis of the needs of the Armenians in Syria indicates that their needs are not immediate (in comparison to the typical needs of refugees regarding food supplies, accommodations, and so on).
What is in great need is the picture of the future, an outlook of possibilities, scenarios, and adequate solutions. The conflict in Syria is unfolding in ways unknown, and our duty is to look into the eye of the storm and make sense of what is to come.
The remapping of the region and the prospect of a new Kurdish state sets the security of the Armenian Diaspora in the Middle East and Armenia’s national security on totally new premises. The entire area is a patchwork of sectarian and ethnic enclaves that has seen bursts of religiously motivated violence many times before. That violence could reach us, directly or indirectly. The obvious question, then, that we need to ask ourselves is: Do we, as a collective, as a nation, have any chance to become a player on the ground while the new security order is being engineered? What we have to realize, and act in accordance of, is that the new order could be enticed in spite of us, and to our detriment.
Questions such as “Will the Kurds in Syria be allowed to break away, as they were allowed to do in Northern Iraq?” ceases to be just a mental exercise.
What are the implications of the obvious trend of the empowerment of Kurds?
How will it be used? Will it be used, as previously, as a way of weakening states—Iraq, Iran, Turkey and Syria? The Kurdish dimension of this conflict is likely to become a dominant factor in the near future because of the weakening of each of the states in which the Kurds live. During the last decade, it has been difficult for the Turkish and Iraqi states to curb the Kurds, and cooperation among them for restricting Kurdish aspirations is at the moment non-existent. At the same time, and not be overlooked, is that the Kurds have proven their loyalty and lack of religious radicalism to the West. Could the latter decide to support them? The several dimensions of the Kurdish issue will likely create a real trouble spot in the region, which can threaten ignition at any moment.
Yet, Armenians and Armenia still do not recognize the Syrian crisis and its repercussions as a national security threat. We must ask: In what ways will Armenia be affected if and when Israel attacks Iran? What will happen to our nuclear power facilities? What will happen if we are faced with an influx of Armenians (and Iranians) from Iran? What will happen to our immediate and future security options if suddenly we have a new neighbor to the east, the state of Kurdistan? Are we prepared for an emboldened Turkey crossing borders, bombing? What will happen if Azerbaijan decides to attack in an attempt to profit form the chaos?
We have not created mechanisms that address the dynamics of the Middle East and the rapidly developing challenges, some visible but mostly invisible. Who ultimately identifies the regional threats to our security? The Armenian National Security Council has proven to be a total failure, a toothless institution. The government’s handlings show that consciously or unconsciously we have freed ourselves from responsibility, seeking redemption elsewhere; in the minds of Armenia’s statesmen and Diasporan Armenians, the assessment of regional risks are to be dealt with by the Collective Security Treaty Organization and/or NATO—security instruments that are outside our own.
Although the national security strategy of the Republic of Armenia recognizes the “decline of the national and cultural identity of the Armenian Diaspora” as a threat to its national security, we still have not put in place the appropriate mechanisms to address the imminent dangers that we face as a collective.
The Syrian war and how we’ve dealt with it until now indicates that decision-making is running in parallel with the daily developments on the field; even then it is mostly addressing minor issues, such as the issue of a small group of Armenians from Syria seeking refuge in their homeland. (To understand how little Armenia has actually done, watch the interview with Arman Yeghiazaryan, the director of repatriation and research of the Armenian Ministry of Diaspora: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12CjdWSuP9I&feature=player_embedded#!)
Under the pressure of fear of the unknown, we are oblivious to some very serious failings. Unfortunately, the Armenian state policy on national security and the supposedly adequate mechanisms did not pass the test of the Syrian challenge. The Syrian war became our ultimate litmus test: It exposed our policy shortcomings not only on national security, but also on our unpreparedness pertaining to legal procedures, crisis management, humanitarian aid, and specifically, resource management. The Syrian Armenian community is the responsibility of not just one agency in Armenia (the ministry of diaspora) but the whole apparatus, government, and society at large.
We have failed to address the needs of the Armenian community in Syria. The same ambiguity and fear has also invaded the diaspora. We do not know what is to be done. We too have been defenders of the status quo, calling for allegiance, imprisoned inside the restricted outlook—a framework that sees only the immediate present.
But most importantly we have failed in projecting our interests within the new security environment and marking out our new goals.
Suzanne Khardalian
Latest posts by Suzanne Khardalian (see all)
- From Der Zor to Majdanek: Genocide Trivialized in Scandinavia - December 21, 2012
- Caught in the Middle: When Dogmas Die and Traditions Thrive - December 11, 2012
- Khardalian: With the Pruner in Our Defense! - October 5, 2012
Why oh why is Armenia not opening its doors to the refugees who are Syrians of Armenian descent; why is it not settling these refugees in KARABAKH?
Instead, we get a corrupt state airline monopoly (Armavia) who, in true Soviet style, refuses to lower its ticket prices for the refugees and extorts them for everything they have just in order to come to Armenia.
(http://araratmagazine.org/2012/07/armavia-fare-hikes/)
Pathetic.
Why everybody’s thinking that Syrian Armenians are dying to relocate to Artsakh? And why do they need money to move there? I’ve met plenty of Syrian Armenians and they are smart and capable people. They have relatives all over the world, they have community structures and most of them are not poor.
War is bad, and they will probably loose most of what they still have in Syria and would eventually loose people who couldn’t move out of the country, but these who can would get refugee status and can settle in the US, France, Canada, Australia, Germany, etc. Just like many Lebanese Armenians did before them.
All these talented, energetic people with good business and professional connections would be great contributors to the Western civilization and can do much more for the Hye Tahd later. Diaspora Armenians should be helping them to get out to the Diaspora. Who’s organizing AirFrance or Virgin Australia flights?
As for Artsakh, it needs infrastructure, planned communities and lifting of theTurkish NATO and Azeri blockade. Diaspora Armenians pay taxes used to arm Turkey and Azerbaijan to keep Artsakh isolated and constantly shot at.
It is basically under siege, surrounded by mine fields and snipers and can’t even open an airport because Azeri promised to down even civilian planes from Yerevan.
Alex armenia little and poor country armenian nation lives another nations and die for them typical like us armenians in istanbul we do everything for them building art but we get nothing just thanks no money no respect live.
Even before the civil war in Syria*(this war can only be defined as such) the Syrianb Armenians were NOT DISPOSED TO REPATRIATE TO ARMENIA.
In general the Arab-Armenians(sorry to say ,but a fact is a fact is a fact )have since re independence thought of that as a National Security or otherwise a patriotic move.They, pretty much like the Iranian Armenians have stuck to their idealism that they are(like the French,N.and S.American old Diaspora Armenians there to stay).Now then, in such cases -as the Syrian Civil war-they still prefer(believe you me) to stay and be as Syrian Armenian or Arab Armenians .Pick your choice.And I am not either happy saying that or saying it as an offense.
No,far from it. We Armenians are a different kind of people.
Firstlyu we differ from each other,i.e, the Arevmdahye thinks of the Arevelahye as different from themselves and cie versa. Can this ever be at least partially resolved remedied what not?
Indeed it can.If the New Generation(seround) takes upon itself to form into at the very least and this is very important in their Professional Colleagues Associations(which we have 5 of them ,ahve to be completed by ten more) then within a decade not much longer these young people will mingle w ea other and learn from ea other begin to feel like ONE Nation´s sons/daughters. That is my answer to begin with ,for resolving and preventing the rest of us being totally lost,assimilated and/or as ab ove described never think of the BIG FACT THAT AFTER 6/7 CENTUREIS WE HAVE ACHIEVED AN INDEPENDENT STATE.For which the Basques, the Catalans and a few others are so much eager for…We have done it and do not appreciate it nor we want to accomplish it.WE just wish to bost that we ahve communities and churches man many of latter and new ones popping up and that way..
As to being able to remedy in part the LOSS, we can also begin to think of National Trust Fund and Investment Trust Fund(All respect to the All armenia one and that will hopefully thrive…
With that said ;I wish to point out that as long as our 160 yeaar old Sahmanatrutyun an d its adherents are there to continue(one that was drawn up in Boilis by amiras and clergy munder harsh Ottoma rule).then we are stuck.Whereas the New Diaspora is a Dynamic one and can be harnessed so to say to a vehicle that can forge ahead…think about it.Just think an d if you think therte is a better remedy than to have a 100,000 stron g PCA´s Prof.Colleagues Assoc. members and a Trust Fund(nucleus by our 6/7 magnates of abillion dolalrs( then tell me of another way out of tghis diolemma,that is called Armenity(Armenidad)—
Marking out our new goals? Isn’t that the crux of the problem? New goals versus old goals? Regrouping in response to new demands? But what do we want? Who is ‘we’? Who decides what is best for Armenia? What is best for Armenians? Turmoil and struggle is not new for us, but who is the enemy and what are we struggling for? It used to be easier to answer that question. And for one reason or another, we seem less ‘haiaser’ and less adaptable in our response as a people.
I keep wondering if it is a lack of visionary leaders in the community, a broken collective psyche, or has the disease of learned helplessness fundamentally changed us. But again who is ‘us’?
Offer them free land to settle in Ngorno Garabagh.
NKR is for than happy to do so, but they need funds for settling Syrian Armenians.
My above post hastely written needs to be expanded.
Firstly the program-in suggestion format that I offer is for a long range plan.Commencing with the Grouping together of our Professional Colleagues assoc.members(aim at 100,000 members all around globe,incl Homeland).The like I had suggested many yrs ago the establishment of aanARMENIAN NATIONAL FUND,which did happend (change of name)Armenia , or all Armenia Fund.This one ,is different it is ,RATHER WILL BE A NATIONAL INVEDSTMENT TRUST FUND.ONE THAT ANY ARMENIAN CAN INVEST IN.HOWEVER, MY GOOD FRIEND IN L.A. FOR YRS ADVOCATED ÄND i QUOTE¨¨if our babik mamiks etc., each contribute (not inveast<)$1-00 EACH OVER THE GLOBE THEN ALL OUR aSPIRATIONS WILL HAVE BEEN SOLVED.wrong!!!!!!!totally wrong!!!
Money goes where moiney is and is safe.
1. First we approach (a small delegation ) to each of our magnates, 6/7 in all to each invest a hundred or 200 million in THE FUND BRINING THE NUCLEUS OF IT TO A BILLIO DOLLAR (working capital) and this through their proxiews and Int´l attornyes (latter to be drawn up by these).
Fund is to be headquartered in Geneva, CH,Switzerland,TAX free and movement free.
Then millionaires all the way down to ONE HUNDRED DOLLAR A SHARE INVESTORS CAN CHIP IN…..imagine with the above 100,000 PCA´s Prof. Colleagues ASsoc. members where will climb upto…
First Loans(not hand outs9 will be to those who wish to REPATRIATE TO NK OR RA, SAY AGAINST MORTGAGED PROPERTIES AND NEW TOWNSHIPS, RURAL AREAS, VILLAGES BUILT OUTSIDE FO EXISTING OTWNS OF RA AND ARTSAKH. YOU SEE ,THE HOMELAND BROTHERS AND SISTERS THUS WILL NOT LOOSE ANYTHING,ON THE CONTRARY WILL MOST PROBABLY GET JOBS TO GO AND BUILD AND MAKE FARMLANDS AS HANDS FARM HANDS…THIS IS HOW I PROJECT THE FUND AND ITS INVOLVEMENTS…NOTHING TO DO WITH GOVT. LOANS TO RA BY THE IMF OR WORLD BANK AND ALL OTHER COUNTRIEDS IN MILLIONS AND MILLIONS.THAT IS THEIR BUSINESS, AND ALL OTHER COUNTRIES ADHERE TO THAT AND IOF THERE ARE DISCREPENCIES IT IS N O T O N L Y IN H A Y A S T A N….IT IS ALL OVER.Ç
BUT OURS OUGHT TO BE A D I A S P O R A GOVERNED ONE…AND FROM THE TOP PEOPLE DOWN NOT FROM BOTTOM UP…HOPE YOU FOLLOW WHAT I MEAN…
BDEST TO THE HASGCOGHIN
“Yet, Armenians and Armenia still do not recognize the Syrian crisis and its repercussions as a national security threat.”
Does the author of this article sit in on Armenia’s National Security Council meetings for her to make such a claim? What do you base the above assertion upon?
There is only so much the Armenian government can do to support Armenians fleeing Syria, the biggest reason is a lack of funds. We must also remember that Armenians residing in Armenia have issues that need government attention as well. With not enough money to go around some groups will not receive all that they may need. Sad, but that’s the way it works. Here is a chance for the big talking Diaspora, especially those living in the West, to pool their collective resources together and help the Armenian government. Yet, they are not doing this. True ARS and AGBU have set aside some monies but it is very small if we consider the financial abilities of the Armenian diaspora. Why isn’t this issue being analyzed as well?
Armanen,
The truth is that most of the Diasporan Armenians do not care. The ones that care are far too few to be able to handle it financially. Those people who accuse Armenian government, forget that there are homeless people in Armenia in Gyumry who lost their homes to earthquake over 20 years ago . I do not mean that the Armenian government could not have handled it should it not misused the funds and bred the culture of oligarchs, but that is the situation for today.
As once I read somewhere, I believe it was a Turk who said it, wealthy Armenians in the West worship marble walls. Not that I care what a Turk thinks about us, but this particular one seems to be at least partially true.
The best way would be to allocate some land for Syrian/Diasporan Armenians and build new towns for them. Open schools for them where their children can have an option to receive education in Western, Eastern Armenian or whatever language they want to have as a second or third. Let them live the way they are used to and let them bring in their culture of applied art, cuisine, languages and lifestyle and enrich Armenia. But for this we would need serious investments.
You people must be out of your minds if you think that a typical “Halebtsi” is going to settle in rural Artsakh… Syrian-Armenians probably have more money than the Armenian government. Let them spend their money in their homeland. No one is stopping them from buying property here. No one is stopping them from going and living in Armenia… Just stop complaining! The Armenian government is not in a situation to serve these “bad day” Armenians on hand and foot…
The first realistic and and up to the point analysis. Wake up Armenia. Herik e eshi aqanji mej qnel.
Gaytzag, yourse is an excellent idea. There is a huge amoundt of combined Armenian wealth around the world that if pulled together and manged properly free of corruption would be a real game changer for Armenia. We have to move away from the culture of hand outs and move to the real culture of nation building. I wish your voice could be heard by enough people to be able to pull this out.
TKU Suzanne, this is an excellent article and good food for thought for all of Armenians who truly are worried about the situation in Syria and our communities.
I think we should not underestimate the local community leadership. We have long and excellent relationship with the Syrians – Arabs in general – in the Middle East. It will be worthwile listening to them and them combining all our efforts for collective solutions.
Good analysis, reflections and options should be encouraged. Shouting from rooftops does not help.
Firstly no thanks to administration that has not posted 3 ,yesw three of my latest posts,one specifically addressed to Ireneh…..
Mr. Voskianapat or voskanapat , is preaching mnay advocating the reverse of what I am.namely Syrian Armenians head to Australia,Canada etc.,. INSTEAD OF AT THE VERY LEAST GETTING TOGETHER TO BE IN THE ORGANIZING OF THE NATIONAL INVESTMENT FUND AND THEN COMMENCE A WELL PLANNED R E P A T R I A T I O N.
tHIS IS HOW WE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN AND ..but I do not loose hope as long as there are Irene like Armenians who know and comprehend that my advocacy is nationbuilding and having a PATRIA.Yes even in that neighbourhood.
What is more Stedpanakert Airport is wide OPEN now Mr. Voskianapat and operating.Our brethren there or in Ra are not afeaid of Aliev barking!!!
Dr. Palandjian,
I’m not a preacher, just trying to be realistic here. You probably realized by now that our “billionaires” are not going to contribute to yet another fund, and our communities are not prepared to assist any refugees as they were not prepared after all of the other disasters in the last century and will not be prepared for anything in the future. This is just a fact that we have to accept and work from there.
I think that we would benefit more if we divide our roles and responsibilities to better suit the reality:
Republic of Armenia can protect Artsakh and sustain the Center of the Armenian Civilization.
Artsakh can fend off Azeri Turk aspirations and continue to develop as a democratic Armenian society.
Armenian Diaspora in Russia can make sure that Russia will protect Armenia and Artsakh from a NATO Turkey attack.
Armenian Diaspora in America can continue to fight for the recognition of the Genocide.
Armenian billionaires can continue to fund their pet projects and name them after their pets or parents.
Armenian Diasporas in France, Australia, etc. need to find their niches and the cause of Syrian Armenian refugees seems to be quite realistic for them to pull.
The rest of the diaspora can join the forces, contribute at least 1,915% of their annual income to Armenian charities and/or volunteer their time.
I expected that the discussion would touch upon the issues that I discuss in my article. What is behind the immediate needs of our community in Syria. can we see it? do we want to acknowledge
The situation in the ME will change our lives, the life of Armenians /Armenia around the globe in significant ways.
How are we, as a people, going to deal with the new challenges of the new Middle East?
Suzanne Kh
This is a complicated issue with no obvious solutions. Syrian-Armenians will find their own ways out of the mess , just like Armenians in Iran, Lebanon and Egypt did over the past 50 years or so.
The reasons are quite clear, and yet we do not admit.
1- The Government in Armenia has its own set of problems to deal with in the Republic. They do not carry much weight on the International scene and do not have the financial strenght to be of any meaningful help.
2- The Diaspora is fragmented. There is not a “central leadership” that can set a cohesive strategy and implement it. We have a number of organizations that operate separately and indepentently . The amounts of money that have been raised or pledged to aid the Syrian-Armenians is a drop in the bucket.
It is sad but we have to be pragmatic. Until there is a constructive dialogue between the Armenian Government and the Diaspora (which lacks a leadership) , we shall not be able to be effective to achieve any of our plotical goals and aspirations. There has to be coordination and a clear strategy developed between the Governement of the Republic of Armenia and the Diaspora . Each on his own is doomed to failure.
Probably this is wishful thinking and both sides have different agendas.
Vart Adjemian
Yes Vart Ajemian, that is what I have been advocating over 34 yrs now.Have assisted at the First Armenian World Congress(excuse me -no boasting-elected to temporary executive post) We did not have then 1979-81 a Scheme, a Plan and what is more the friction between left and right at that point of time very miuch acute. Nonetheless I have been working on it .We start as above explained with PCA´s Profes. Colleagues Assoc. ,then through thesee head to Form Township Central Bodies , on to each Community country capital city to have a Central Council .Then on to have a Suprmem Council of the diaspora in 5 dept.s
1. Legal-political in Strasbourg(next to RA delegation-not sitting together , but isn same town9
2.Executive in NY -nexst to RA permanent UN delegation as above.
3. Economic super council , in Geneva,CH with 15 offices of ea of the professions.
4.Social Services(and future Repatriation organizing in Moscow)near abroad.
5.The only one we have the Spiritual in st. Etchmiadzin in conjunction with Gredat House of Cilicia(we need latter as long as we have Hye Thad with great Turkey.I shall expand further if need be for the hundredth time.is anyone listening or at the very least setting aside native armenian J joining up.
Best to hasgcoghin
Voskanapa,
Do please re read your firest post.If not preaching then what is the exact definition of your(pormpting perhaps?) that the Syrian Armenian that would leave for Austrailia,. _Canada etc., would greatly contribute to those…
Come come now, we are here as serious people and I would not take back what I write if it was a correct statement.
What is more I am really surprised that you wrote that.Considering your Web site of kHOJALY-which I just entered for curiosity sake-and find it quite good.
Now that is a good contribution.You see I do not have any native Armenian J nor do I carry any contempt for any person´s postings here.I only say what I think is obviously correct. Please do not get offended,but that is what you haved written ,to that effect….to leave for those lands ,instead of like self preaching to get re organized and stay ion firm ground untill we have settled the accounts with great Turkey…..
It must have escaped many…i.er. your very sharp question as to.-
¨Will the Northern area Syrian kurds be allowed to break away,like the Iraqui kurds were¨.A VERY FAR REACHING HINT…
Well, that is a very much diplomatic issue,rather than guesswork.If the powers involved(one or two of them) so decide,indeed this may come to happen.
In which case, the Kurds will have taken,rather pushed to take yet another step FWD towards autonomy or independence. that is crystal clear.But IF….
Like many will conjecture this is in favour of the Kurds,it is also-at the long run-also a plus to us,thus the Buffer zone will by and by have taken a firmer shape…
We ought to expect this to happen and when it does,our rapprochmenmt with the Kurds would be in the MAKING.However, for that to take place,we need to form Rank & File, then proceed to have ELECTIONS IN THE DIASPORA, but hopefully based on my humble theory, that of delegagtes being ELECTED FOR THEIR M E R I T S.A MERITORIAL ELECTORAL SYSTEM, RATHER THAN BY -ONLY POLITICALLY ORIENTED AND DIRECTED AND/OR BY MONEY SPENDING…
Just one more comment,if I may,the idea is (mine that is and hope many others´ who think and write sincerely ,that at the very least we caqn then hope to make the REPATRIATION MOVE(when my envisaged National Invdestment Fund is also in place.TO HAVE THE RECENT IMMIGRANTS NOT THOSE WHO LEFT 100 AND MORE YRS AGO AND THOSE WHO LEFT 50 AND MORE YRS AGO(LATTER FROM Middle East ) but those who left Republic of Armenia/Baku-after the pogroms in Sumgait etc., to GET THEM BACK, FROM THEY HAVE IMMIGRATED.MOSTLY IN RF COUNTRIES(near abroad ex soviet republics)
ALL IN ALL THE EDITORIAL conveys interesting material for thought.