Comments on: On Un-Sanctioning Syria

By: Reconnecting America and Syria | microslurps.com

Reconnecting America and Syria | microslurps.com — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 22:35:08 +0000

[...] will make life easier for millions of people, although internet-freedom activist Jillian York says many have already found ways around the embargo:Syrians have been circumventing the ban in numerous ways by sharing software for years, and the [...]

By: Jillian C. York » How the U.S. Censors Arabs

Jillian C. York » How the U.S. Censors Arabs — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 17:25:03 +0000

[...] hypocrisy, namely when it comes to sanctions. I’ve written about the sanctions on Syria here, here, and here, and recently gave a quote to the UK’s [...]

By: Photomaniacal » Blog Archive » Reconnecting America and Syria | Sakhr al-Makhadhi

Tue, 04 Aug 2009 23:25:51 +0000

[...] At present, Syrian internet users have to jump through hoops to do something as basic as downloading an update to a web browser. US companies do their best to enforce the sanctions law, by preventing their products reaching Syria. The change will make life easier for millions of people, although internet-freedom activist Jillian York says many have already found ways around the embargo: [...]

By: Hiconomics

Hiconomics — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 22:36:36 +0000

Nice post…
If this actually happens, and I hope it does, the least it will do is open up the ability to legitimately download and use some online software that had been blocked from Syrian IP addresses. Software such as Google’s Chrome browser, and MSN Messenger which I believe was blocked at some point. As Alloush said this hasn’t actually affected users too much… most have been able to get around this by using proxy servers that make them look like they’re in another country.

There is potentially more positive impact though. If this does go ahead I believe Syrian programmers and web designers should now be able to use more complex internet applications to create fully functional ebusiness platforms. PayPal is one example, from what I know, it has been almost impossible for people to find a work-around… and then you have hosting services, access to Cloud Computing platforms (Amazon Web Services, Google Apps, SalesForce…etc.). Granted these are not mainstream necessities at the moment within Syria.. but there seems to be a few companies taking steps in this direction. It’s only a matter of time.

On the subject of whether this will encourage the Syrian government to open up some of the blocked sites, I’m not sure it will. I believe both are completely unrelated and have been implemented with completely different rationale and intentions.

By: Posts about Huffington Post as of July 27, 2009 » The Daily Parr

Posts about Huffington Post as of July 27, 2009 » The Daily Parr — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 18:46:14 +0000

[...] Los Angeles Times Candy Spelling: You Will Die Alone & Unloved Unless You Apologize … On Un-Sanctioning Syria – jilliancyork.com 07/27/2009 A notable news item that nearly went unnoticed in the United States [...]

By: Alloush

Alloush — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 18:13:41 +0000

The results will be just making it easier for Syrians to use IT American products, I never had a real problem with the ban [as Ordinary net user], I always find a way or another to break it, The only services that may take a place after the ban lift off is the selling of Hardwares with its guarantees, plus Financial services such as paypal which was unable to break its ban.

That’s a great news, hope we see more positive actions from both sides.

Thanks Jill.

By: Sasa

Sasa — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 18:13:06 +0000

The mobile web is filtered (or at least it was the last time I tried, 2 weeks ago), the sites I’ve tried bring up the same message as they do via landline ISPs.

As for different ISPs blocking different things, this has been the case for a while. I remember Blogspot was available on one of the private ISPs, while SCS blocked it. The problem was, the private ISPs were no longer signing up new subscribers.

I announced the end of the Blogger ban rather breathlessly here, only to get a text from a dear friend telling me that I was completely wrong.

Are tech imports a low hanging fruit? Possibly. I always thought this element of the sanctions was the one doing the most damage. It probably affects more people than other parts of the law. And as you imply, it affects those vocal bloggers and opinion formers. So if America is trying to win ‘hearts and minds’ (I cringe at the phrase), then it’s not a bad way to start.

More likely is that this is Obama just tearing the sanctions law up piece by piece. As Moustapha said, to cancel the law completely would require Congress’s assent, which could be risky, so he’s doing it his own way. And if you want to undermine sanctions until they become meaningless, you start by removing those bans which are having the biggest effect.

I wonder what will be next. It would be symbolic, but how about allowing Syrianair to fly into American airspace. Imagine the sight of an RB landing in JFK.