Unduly Optimistic
Reader comment on item: Lebanon's Liberation Approaches

Submitted by Vijay Dandapani (United States), Feb 25, 2005 at 15:45

Daniel Pipes is a tad too optimistic in implying a Syrian withdrawal and a near term demise of the Syrian dictatorship. Hariri's assassination was a clear message to both France and the US to stay out of its "backyard" along with a dare. What has the US (and unsurprisingly the French) in response? Recalling the Ambassador is like slapping a flea covered buffalo - only the flea dies and helps the animal.

I'd be willing to wager that the floodgates for terrorists emanating from Syria will be on the ascent with a view to making it more difficult for democracy to flourish in Iraq. Syrian arrogance and bravado stems in part due to mixed signals sent by Washington.

When we want we deal with the Syrians - as when certain Al-Qaeda terrorists are handed over and intelligence passed on. When it comes to Israel, the Syrians quickly revert to type. There is no gainsaying that sleeping with the enemy for whatever compelling strategic need leaves one compromised.

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