Subscribe to Print Edition | Sun., March 30, 2008 Adar2 24, 5768 | | Israel Time: 04:14 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Last update - 07:46 28/03/2008 ANALYSIS: Isolating Syria serves to highlight its importance By Zvi Bar'el, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iran  "In the name of merciful and compassionate Allah, I hope you solve just one Arab problem," begged a surfer on television network Al-Arabiyah's Internet site. His supplication, which will apparently go unanswered, was directed at the heads of state convening in Damascus on Friday for an Arab League summit, or at least those heads of states bothering to attend after Egypt and Saudi Arabia neutered it. The pair seek to punish Syria for continually thwarting any political solution in Lebanon by not allowing the appointment of General Michel Suleiman as president and not forcing Hezbollah to accept a reasonable division of cabinet posts. Syria rejected, albeit politely, the Arab League's compromise proposal, positioning itself as the victor over the united Arab front. But the Saudi-Egyptian penalty could become an own goal. It does not promote a resolution to the crisis in Lebanon and it highlights the chasm between the camps. This is no longer the well-known split between "moderates" and "extremists," but between the "Arab circle" and the "Iranian circle" and has emphasized the power of organizations like Hezbollah, and to some extent Hamas, to set the Arab agenda. Advertisement Egypt and Saudi Arabia are frustrated that Iran succeeds in influencing Arab policy no less and maybe - regarding Lebanon - more than the Arab countries themselves. The attendance of the Iranian foreign minister - not a member state and not an Arab state - emphasizes Tehran's role in this rift. It is possible that Egypt and Saudi Arabia's partial embargo of the summit will turn Syria's isolation into a source of power. The Arab states know that the solution to the two most severe crises in the Middle East pass through Syria, yet they don't have the means to force its hand. Syrian agreement to the suggested solution would gnaw away at Hezbollah's political maneuvering power, which could lead to Syria losing control in Lebanon. This summit will be considered the Arab League's largest failure, but could clarify how Syria, in spite of its isolation, is becoming the most significant state in the region's diplomatic processes. The question now will be what option Egypt and Saudi Arabia will have to resolve the Lebanon crisis and how they can extract Hamas from the Iranian-Syrian circle to resolve the Palestinian crisis. Related articles: Arab FMs re-endorse 2002 Saudi peace initiative Despite rumors of rift, Syria invites Saudi Arabia to Arab summit Arab League ministers to meet on Israeli settlement policy Bookmark to del.icio.us   Terror online Israel posts clips on YouTube of J'lem yeshiva terror attack. Remembering Gaza Knesset approves bill to commemorate the Jewish settlements of Gush Katif.   1.   Syria Is The Key, Of Course 13:50  |  dyinglikeflies 28/03/08   2.   syria 16:09  |  lebanese citizen 28/03/08   3.   The US Should Continue from Iraq to Syria 16:09  |  Straight Talk 28/03/08   4.   The cracks will widen 16:25  |  Proud Israeli 28/03/08   5.   Agree "Proud Israeli", But Israel Will Be Affected 17:50  |  dyinglikeflies 28/03/08   6.   from ex syrian 18:25  |  for your info! 28/03/08   7.   stop drumming for Syria 19:16  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 28/03/08   8.   #3 Straight Talk 23:47  |  John Smith 28/03/08   9.   Understatement of 2008 # 3 14:42  |  Clickfool 29/03/08   10.   the universe will punish those that rejects reality 19:38  |  Mark B. 29/03/08   11.   #3 21:45  |  American Lebanese 29/03/08   12.   Who In Syria? 22:39  |  Yosemite 29/03/08

Today Online Dutch MP's anti-Islam film shows clerics' calls to behead Jews Responses: 603 Hamas gets Iranian plans for improved Qassams Responses: 159 Avigdor Lieberman: Israel's minorities must be loyal to the Jewish state Responses: 129 UN: Ex-Lebanon PM Hariri killed by criminal network Responses: 113 Ex-Muslim says converted to Christianity due to Islam's anti-Zionism Responses: 162 Rosner's Domain 38% for pressuring Palestinians, 25% for pressuring Israel (WTR) Bush is still determined not to repeat Clinton's mistakes Poll: what percentage Jews will vote McCain? New pro-Israel-pro-peace dovish lobby ready to launch (WTR) Obama rejects advisor's comments on American Jews and peace process More Headlines 02:11 Top official: PM has communicated with Assad to test his desire for peace 03:04 UN wants UNIFIL to have full responsibility in northern Ghajar 00:35 Rice arrives in Israel, urges improvements in West Bank life 01:04 Anti-Syrian protesters march in Beirut in wake of Arab summit 04:06 ANALYSIS / IDF ups Gaza ground ops in face of heavier rocket fire 01:37 UN officials: Syria still suspected in Lebanese PM murder case 02:51 Genealogy Web site attempts to map out entire Jewish people 01:19 Palestinians: IDF kills 2 Gazans; 4 others wounded in IAF strike 22:24 Meshal: Shalit talks deadlocked due to Israeli intransigence 10:53 Obama likens his foreign policy to that of Bush Sr., JFK, Reagan 20:13 Israeli Arabs mark 32nd annual Land Day with Wadi Ara, Negev protests 20:47 3-year-old boy critically injured as father runs him over 22:16 At Syria summit, Abbas calls for Arab troops in Palestinian territories Previous Editions Select Day 28 mar 27 mar 26 mar 25 mar 24 mar 23 mar 21 mar 20 mar 19 mar 18 mar 17 mar 16 mar

Special Offers Advertisement NEW! Dan Boutique Jerusalem Hotel Hip Dan Hotel in Jerusalem. Attractive Introductory Rates Pardes Institute Summer Sessions Study Jewish texts and issues in Jerusalem, Co-ed, All Levels FAREWELL ISRAEL New Film The Coming War for Islamic Revival - View Movie Trailer Free the Palestinians from: Corrupt Kleptocracy, Tyrannical Theocracy, Abysmal Anarchy Long-term Israel programs MASA is your gateway. More programs. More grants. 7589 rockets fired so far HELP US TO HELP THEM Fattal Hotel Chain Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel. ISRAEL BONDS Build Israel Israel bonds - a multi-purpose way to celebrate Israel's 60th Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |

Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved