"Will warmer U.S.-Syria ties lead Israel to cede Golan?"

Zvi Bar'el, in Haaretz, here

"..... Syria is another example in point. The increasingly close relationship between Washington and Damascus, the unofficial reports that a new U.S. ambassador has been appointed to Syria, the feverish work to reconcile Saudi Arabia and Syria and perhaps subsequently Egypt as well - all under the Americans' aegis - create the impression that these moves are part of a grand master plan. But can such steps bring about Israeli agreement to withdraw from the Golan Heights? Have the Americans sent any signs that Israel should prepare for such a withdrawal, or at least that the construction freeze in the territories should apply to the Golan, too?

Nothing. .....

All the players have to move simultaneously, agree to conditions and implement them on a joint timetable. But, as opposed to 2003, when the road map was announced, this time there are three interdependent tracks. Without Syria there can be no Palestinian reconciliation, without which there will be no unity government and therefore Abbas will have a hard time making concessions. Without concessions, Netanyahu can shake off the order to freeze the settlements."