September 28, 2007
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Syrian President Bashar Assad (AP)
"Israeli officials appear split over how much of a threat Syria poses, with some spy bosses warning that Damascus is preparing for war and others saying its actions are defensive."Only the United States can offer Syria the sweeping package deal it might need to make peace with Israel and loosen ties with Iran and militant Lebanese and Palestinian groups.
But the Bush administration, at odds with Syria over Iraq, Lebanon and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, has sought to isolate Damascus diplomatically and punish it with sanctions. It has paid little heed so far to arguments that drawing Syria and Israel into negotiations would influence regional dynamics and clinching a peace deal would transform them. Access the full article>>