But what does Lakoff’s theory about metaphors have to do with the Syrian crisis? It may look strange for some readers, for the first while, to correlate between a figure of speech and the most horrific actions committed by Assad regime and its allies on daily basis.
However, the answer for the aforementioned question may lie in reading the recent article published by the Mail Online on 30 August about Iran’s “Glasshouse” that is running the war in Syria from a little different perspective that is much more interrelated to understanding the way by which Iran manifests its power and presence arrogantly in Syria.
The intended analysis of this article doesn’t focus mainly on examining the relatively new information about the massive size of Iran’s increasing influence in the Middle East or even try to verify their credibility.
It rather sheds a beam of light on the nadir of disgrace which Assad regime has reached after it opened the gates of Syria widely open before the Mullah regime and its scums to control the country from their “glass” building while Assad in his only 3 square kilometers area of influence is boastfully speaking about sovereignty!
Apparently, the new information revealed by the Mail Online about the Iranian control headquarters located near Damascus airport, said to be nicknamed "The Glasshouse" is not surprising for Syrians, at least.
Evidence of direct Iranian involvement in the battles has been accumulating before every Syrian citizen. Bodies of Iranian militias’ members are being transported to Tehran on Iranian planes. Funerals of senior Iranian officers are held in public. Images of Iranian and Hezbollah women dressing in black are being displayed on social media.
In other words, the real face of the Iranian government has been revealed and can no longer be hidden or beautified. On the other side of the story, Iran didn’t hide its continuous support for Assad regime and that it has been propping up it militarily, financially and politically.
Many Iranian military officers spoke boastfully about their contribution to the daily offensive and killings in Syria saying had Iran not intervened, Assad’s forces would have been defeated long time ago.
So, is there anything new under the sun? The news report by the Mail Online speaks about 60,000 Shia fighters led by Iran not 16,000 as previous estimates mentioned. The report goes on detailing further information about Iran’s control headquarters.
The heavily-guarded 180-room building is said to be positioned very close to an airstrip that makes it easy for Iranian military chiefs to receive deliveries of troops, cash and equipment – and to escape should Damascus fall.
Further details speak about the number of departments that are based inside the building which includes counterintelligence, logistics, propaganda and foreign mercenary command.
To avoid repeating or reproducing the news report by the Mail Online, which is not definitely the target of this article, it would be much more significant to conclude the following:
First, the regime’s force structure today consists of a dizzying array of Shia mercenaries led and funded by Iran and other hyper-local militias aligned with various foreign sponsors.
Second, and more importantly, it has become no secret that Iran has a heavy presence on the ground that is not based exclusively on advisers and consultants. Iran, in short has become the leading occupying force that is managing all the puppets.
To hark back to the introductory question about Lakoff’s theory of killing metaphor and where it has a finger in the Iranian “transparent” presence in Syria, approaching the word “Glasshouse” semantically refers the reader to the meaning of transparency implied in the word “glass”. The cynical paradox that is laden in such a metaphorical context here has two dimensions.
The first one is related to the Iranian side which is the darkest and most evil power now in the Middle East that is disseminating death and mayhem while hiding as an occupation force of Syria inside a transparent and well-arranged building.
The other dimension applies to Assad’s side which has become far much more impudent and shameless to the extent that he is no longer indifferent about exposing his reality as a stooge that is being moved by the Iranian master.
It is the “Republic of Caterpillar Gallows” which is controlling all the strings in public or in a much metaphorical sense behind the transparent walls of the infamous “Glasshouse” located in Damascus Airport which is just few kilometers away from Assad’s hideout.
To complete the farce of the metaphor here, it is the very Assad who keeps accusing his opponents of relying on foreign powers while his own house is made of Iranian glass.
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