Many of my colleagues tend to feel quite disheartened whenever a Syrian-American or a Syrian-European rapprochement seems to be looming, and with good cause. After all, their freedom and the quality of their lives, not to mention their very lives, seem to hang in the balance, their particular stands vis-à-vis US interventionism, the West in general and West-assisted efforts at democratization, notwithstanding. Continue reading “What if Bush met Bashar?” →

While things might appear good for the Assad regime as result of the recent congressional visits to Syria, the positions of the both Bush and Cheney in this regard, indicate that a backlash is to be expected. The recent relaxation that the Bush administration has shown vis-à-vis contact with Syrian officials, a development evident in the Baghdad conference, the meeting with the Syrian Ambassador in the US in the Sate Department, and the ensuing talks in Damascus between US and Syrian officials with regard to the situation of Iraqi refugees, will now cease and desist. The Bush Administration is likely to resume its isolationist policies with regard to the Assads, and will probably pursue them with a greater vim. So, do let the Syrian Ambassador pursue his congressional activities, he is only helping the Opposition’s cause as well. Continue reading “The Backlash!” →