Monthly Archives: March 2012

Need to Know: March 19, 2012

Need to Know: March 18, 2012

Need to Know: March 17, 2012

Nir Rosen’s Relationship with the Assad Regime in Question After Assad Email Release

Rosen is the latest figure caught up in the “Assad emails” story. Exchanges (here and here) between Syrian officials referencing Rosen seem to indicate a relationship that some fear is at best a bit too cozy.

Twitter started buzzing overnight and many are weighing in. Rosen is a pretty divisive figure and that is evident in the early reactions to this story. It should be said that many journalists and national security types who routinely disagree with Rosen are taking a wait-and-see position on this. I think the best course of action at the moment is to sit back and watch this play out on the Nir Rosen Twitter monitor.

Update III:

Carl Prine has fired off another defense of Rosen along with this translated statement from the “Revolutionary Council of Homs — Media Bureau”:

Fellow revolutionaries and media activists:

In the last few days, some rumors circulated regarding US journalist Nir Rosen, accusing him of being an agent for the Assad regime, because of his relationship with one of the regime’s agencies, which is due to the nature of his work. We believe that this matter should have not been dealt with before looking into the history of this journalist and checking with those who have dealt with him directly, as they would best know the details and necessities associated with the work of journalists. Therefore, we encourage all activists to avoid spreading unconfirmed rumors, especially those that may include accusations of treason. We refuse the mistreatment of Mr. Rosen, and we welcome him and any other independent journalists and invite them to Syria in any way possible to show the world the truth of what is going on, as long as they work professionally and with the highest degree of morals associated with their profession.

Update II:

Rosen responds in a lengthy guest post on Carl Prine’s Line of Departure:

In Syria my articles have not been pro-regime or anti-regime. From the beginning opponents of the regime accused me of being its agent while supporters of the regime accused me of serving Qatar, Saudi Arabia or America. These are stupid accusations and I never lowered myself to respond to them before. My goal was to provide an anthropology of Syria’s descent into civil war so people could understand what is happening there. I am more proud of my work in Syria than anything I have previously done. It is a clear eyed account which does not idealize or romanticize anybody but while sober it is always empathetic.

Update:

Rosen’s only comment so far:

“The allegations about me are completely untrue. I will be responding in a longer format in 24 hours when I am back online so please wait”

I’ll link his response when it becomes available.