"...But an opening to Syria also holds risks for the United States. In Lebanon, moderate political groups have expressed concern that their interests could be sacrificed by the U.S. effort.For example, they fear the possibility of U.S. compromise on the international tribunal investigating the slaying of Hariri, which could ease pressure on Damascus.
The White House has sought to reassure the Lebanese by supporting the country's sovereignty and by adding $6 million in support for the tribunal.
Israel began indirect talks with Syria through Turkish mediators last year, hoping they would lead to negotiations on a peace treaty.Outgoing Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said in December that Syria "wants to reconnect with the West."
Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu, who is struggling to form a new unity government, explored the option of a new relationship with Syria when he headed the government in the late 1990s. However, before the most recent elections, Netanyahu declared his opposition to moves that would be at the heart of any deal, such as giving up the Golan Heights region, captured in the 1967 Middle East War.
Some experts doubt that Syria ultimately would agree to a deal with the United States.
David Schenker, a former Pentagon Mideast expert now at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, said that a tie to the United States would mean ending Syria's 30-year bond with Iran that has been a pillar of economic and military support for the Assad regime." ( I NOW OPEN THE FLOOR TO OUR RESIDENT Schenker EXPERT to COMMENT!)
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Talks with Syria pose risks for both countries
In the Chicago Tribune, here
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
I need to see a doctor. I am officially addicted to Schenkeritis, a propensity to utter nonesense on a non-stop basis. Also, my friend GPC needs to be dealt with for his perverse tendency to feed my addiction!!!
The latest pearl of idiocy by Schenker is that if Syria is to deal with the US it will have to sever its link with Iran. That's the 'risk' Syria will have to face.
Really? Well, I have got news for the 'former Pentagon Mideast expert', now a resident to an extension of the Likud in Washington. Syria and Iran are in a strategic alliance. There is nothing that the US can offer to break that, assuming the US is willing to offer anything. Syria has the issue of the Golan still outstanding and Israel will have to cede it back to Syria if it wants to live in peace in the area. The US can help in that matter. If this happens, i.e. the Golan Heights are returned to Syria, then Syria will play a positive role as an honest broker with Iran. Hence, it is in the interest of the US to have Syria with close ties to Iran. No other country in the region can do so. Not Saudi Arabia, not Egypt, and certainly not Israel. The US does not need 'allies' who cannot deliver anything. Hence, the idea of Syria breaking ties with Iran should be shelved indefinitely! But then, I will await a further round of schenkeritis!!!
Post a Comment