Assad: U.S.'s misguided Mideast policy empowered Iran

..transform the ME by creating a home for displace European Jews in lieu of the Arabs will go in history as the gaffe that led to WWIII. The ugly part is that the US lost it's foreign policy independence that not only was hijacked but produced a series of seismic changes across the landscape. Wherever you look , the need to protect Israel against the natural and progressive course of events and the need to perpetually weaken Israel's neighbors for it's protection has created a hegemonic state of Israel that will be bloody to disarm when the time comes. Talk about unintended consequences.

"Iranians/Persians has had one obsession since they were converted to Islam by force" Mark B Mark, the theory is badly flawed. If that were true, that the enmity went all the way to the beginnings and have been harbored ever since, then one would expect that the Abbasid revolt in the mid 8thC [long after the Arab invasions]against the exclusively Arab Umayyads would have been strictly an Arab versus Persian affair. It was anything but, though 19th and 20th C scholars had previously imagined it to be so. Originating in Persia the revolt was predominantly Persian of course, but it was characterized by a great deal of unity of purpose between Persian and Arab Muslims. Many of the senior figures in the victorious Abbasids were Arabs and Shi'ism itself is now understood to be of Arabian origin[southern Iraq]and taken 'into' Persia by Arab colonists. In those early days, despite the earlier conquest and oppression Persian-Arab co operation and cohesion were clearly evident around the mid 8th C and later in Persia.After the successful revolt Arabs still maintained their prominent positions within the Persian lands. Arabic remained the sole language of government, yet Persians, Arabs and half breeds all progressed in the caliphal court. The history is less clear cut than you might think. See Bernard Lewis[not a noted friend of the Arabs]The Middle East. p76.

Buddhism is very fast growing they dont need to cut anybodys throat to get ahead.

"Iranians/Persians has had one obsession since they were converted to Islam by force" Mark B Mark, the theory is badly flawed. If that were true, that the enmity went all the way to the beginnings and have been harbored ever since, then one would expect that the Abbasid revolt in the mid 8thC [long after the Arab invasions]against the exclusively Arab Umayyads would have been strictly an Arab versus Persian affair. It was anything but, though 19th and 20th C scholars had previously imagined it to be so. Originating in Persia the revolt was predominantly Persian of course, but it was characterized by a great deal of unity of purpose between Persian and Arab Muslims. Many of the senior figures in the victorious Abbasids were Arabs and Shi'ism itself is now understood to be of Arabian origin[southern Iraq]and taken 'into' Persia by Arab colonists. In those early days, despite the earlier conquest and oppression Persian-Arab co operation and cohesion were clearly evident around the mid 8th C and later in Persia.After the successful revolt Arabs still maintained their prominent positions within the Persian lands. Arabic remained the sole language of government, yet Persians, Arabs and half breeds all progressed in the caliphal court. The history is less clear cut than you might think. See Bernard Lewis[not a noted friend of the Arabs]The Middle East. p76.

Asia Times 25 February 2010 "China Fine-Tunes its Iran Strategy" by Peter Lee Prime Minister Netanyahu, newly returned from Moscow, is sending a delegation headed by Strategic Affairs Minister Moshe Ya'alon and Bank of Israel Governor Stanley Fischer to Beijing at the end of February to discuss sanctions. Again, a conscious (and to China undoubtedly unappreciated) effort was made to paint Beijing as little more than the last piece in the Iran sanctions jigsaw puzzle: Netanyahu's government has largely neglected China in its diplomatic efforts to stop the Iranian nuclear program. Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman have not visited China and held no significant talks with Chinese officials on the Iranian issue, concentrating instead on the United States, Russia, France, the United Kingdom and Germany. http://www.atimes.com/atimes/China/LB25Ad01.html Who misguided (silly, silly) little Israel into 'insulting' China?

"Iranians/Persians has had one obsession since they were converted to Islam by force" Mark B Mark, the theory is badly flawed. If that were true, that the enmity went all the way to the beginnings and have been harbored ever since, then one would expect that the Abbasid revolt in the mid 8thC [long after the Arab invasions]against the exclusively Arab Umayyads would have been strictly an Arab versus Persian affair. It was anything but, though 19th and 20th C scholars had previously imagined it to be so. Originating in Persia the revolt was predominantly Persian of course, but it was characterized by a great deal of unity of purpose between Persian and Arab Muslims. Many of the senior figures in the victorious Abbasids were Arabs and Shi'ism itself is now understood to be of Arabian origin[southern Iraq]and taken 'into' Persia by Arab colonists. In those early days, despite the earlier conquest and oppression Persian-Arab co operation and cohesion were clearly evident around the mid 8th C and later in Persia.After the successful revolt Arabs still maintained their prominent positions within the Persian lands. Arabic remained the sole language of government, yet Persians, Arabs and half breeds all progressed in the caliphal court. The history is less clear cut than you might think. See Bernard Lewis[not a noted friend of the Arabs]The Middle East. p76.

The Iranians were always facing an Arab wall that prohibited them from going for their dream: Iraq. The US have enabled them to present themselves as top dog of the Muslim countries in the ME and threaten moderate US orientated regimes, set up proxy's and arm them by removing that. The US thought they were protecting their main interest in the ME: Arab OIL flow. Yep, there has been only one true King Dumbyah in American history!

Iranians/Persians has had one obsession since they were converted to Islam by force: Arabs, in particular those Arabs from the heartland of Islam where the holy places are. Now called the Saudi's. One dream: control the Arab heartland, control the ME, revenge the humiliation of Arab conquest of proud Persia, become the champions of the Muslimworld, control and rule over the keepers of the holy places of Islam. How to do that? Let's see if the Arabs have an obsession that eats them and what they can not handle. Oh yes, Israel. What better way is there to show Arabs they are more capable, powerfull, resilient and such on than to succeed where they failed. Humiliation revenged, control over Saudi's for the grab. Also now bonus: control over Arab OIL flow besides Islamic holy places and thus unprecented power in the world outside Islam. Also now new problem: USA. Israel is a lever, the US is a problem to be tackled carefully, Saudi's are the target and goal.

Assad is talking about the George Bush's (the stupid one) era. The most terrible mistake Bush made was invading Iraq. Saddam was actually useful to peace. He was watching Iran, balancing it out in the Middle East, and attacking it (in 1980) when he became fearful of it. With no such watchdog Iran is free to act. Bush made another big mistake with respect to Iran, rejecting its 2003 offer to normalize relations with the US, including giving up support for terror groups like Hamas and Hizballah. For some reason, Bush is a hero in Israel. Everywhere else, he is a matchless idiot. What does it teach us about Israel???

Along the Syria border there were no farms and no refugee camps ? there was only the Syrian army... The kibbutzim saw the good agricultural land ... and they dreamed about it... They didn't even try to hide their greed for the land... We would send a tractor to plow some area where it wasn't possible to do anything, in the demilitarized area, and knew in advance that the Syrians would start to shoot. If they didn't shoot, we would tell the tractor to advance further, until in the end the Syrians would get annoyed and shoot. And then we would use artillery and later the air force also, and that's how it was...The Syrians, on the fourth day of the war, were not a threat to us. A = Moshe Dayan

Unfortunately I agree with Assad. Every action has a reaction especially when dealing with the Muslim world. When will we ever learn?

It was President Reagan that armed Saddam to fight Iran, and it was also Reagan that sold weapons at the same time to Iran so he could divert the proceeds to fund the Contra guerillas in Nicaragua. It was also Reagan that funded al Qaeda in Afghanistan. The USA has empowered many of the extremist Muslim groups with simply poorly thought-out and poorly executed policy. In each instance, the response by the USA was weapons and war without considering the long-term effects. There is an opportunity for the USA with Obama to change that pattern. Rather than war, it requires diplomacy, economic partnership and opening up lines of communication. One festering issue that ignites many extremist Muslim groups is the Israeli treatment of the Palestinians and the USA complicity. A step towards balanced Middle East policy is to become inclusive of Palestine in economic development initiatives and restoration of their rights.

..It's only flexing his power at this point. The Return of the Golan is the key. Legally Israel doesn't have a right to this property. So, the sooner the Golan/Israeli issue is resolved, than other pieces willl fit into place.

My friend Chris, I don't usually disagee with you but this time there's a factual error that I need to point out. Saddam Huessin did provide money to families of suicide bombers; but only after a terrible event. This event was on European television: an IDF soldier aimed, fired and killed a young Palestinian boy, who was trying to be protected by his father in a "street fight"--soldiers with guns versus teenagers with rocks and stones. This event changed many peoples' minds. The middle class Arab street in various countries turned agaisnt Israel after this shot. europeans were outraged. The clip was never shown on USA t.v. It was this family that Saddam Huessein initiated his policy. this father and son were off to buy the family's first car, when IDF killed the young boy. Saddam bought the family a car and also gave the family $25K . The practice of giving money to Palestinians families started after this incindent.

i lov how it is okay for israel to declare someone and enemy no problem... howwever god forbid is someone does the same thing to "GOD's CHOSEN PEOPLE" they are anti semeties and they are to be killed.. as you say urself mullah come to power. israel declared them enemy (isn't that being anti persioans). but if iran says when this zionist regime came to being we declare them as enemy.. they should be bombed by US. and sanctioned so everyone else fight jewish paranoia

i think israels mortal enemy are israelis themselves.

peter whether you like or not.. it will happened. since the coming of islam there has yet to be any decline in the rate of conversion to islam or new muslim being.. there 1.1 billion and growing.. and you know what is scary even more for islamophobics.. more and more youth is coming towards islam.. and lets face it there is no more religion left in any western countries.. each person seems to have their own religion. i understand tough to handle the truth you or anyone can't stop it..

Oh,the New Republic. You mean the foreign policy hawks on steroids publication? Well that makes all the difference then. "Cheney and George W... the village idiot, and the Khatami dust bin proposal... are so passe, they`re not worthy of any further comment." Really, linking the term 'passe' and the 2003 Iranian proposal, you sound like a hawk who got his wings clipped after the last election. Enjoy your reading sir. Nothing else worth commenting on.

"harming" Israel, then Iran is guilty as charged! More power to her for being a force against the expansionist Zionism.

Oh,the New Republic. You mean the Foreign Policy hawks on steroids publication? Well that makes all the difference then. "Cheney and George W... the village idiot, and the Khatami dust bin proposal... are so passe, they`re not worthy of any further comment." Really, linking the term 'passe' and the 2003 Iranian proposal, you sound like a hawk who got his wings clipped after the last election. Enjoy your reading sir. Nothing else worth commenting on.

Hello Viper... Yes... you absolutely right, that is what Leverett said. And I do think, a return of the Golan would bring peace with Syria and possibly diffuse the situation in general. But here's the rub... Israel and Syria have a long and violent history. The hold-up, I believe... is a matter of trust. Assad Jr. doesn't help the situation by harboring Mashaal and the Hamas exiled leadership. His covert transfer of surface-to-air missiles to Hezbollah is a 'red-line' for the Israelis. And now, this mini-summit with Ahmadinejad and Nasrallah gives the appearance of an axis of influence aimed directly at Israel. For a peace to exist, Syria must deliver something substantial. They will not receive the Golan as a gesture... with future benefits to come for Israelis. But hey... I'm interested in you take. Cheers.

"`who on top of their low class` (re Durson) seriously S, if you wish to belittle or denigrate posters, I suggest you do it without resorting to accusations about `class`. Such elitism is bordering on the pre historic" (T) You call elitism pre-historic? God help our present generations if you'd be right! The world would be only a collection of Catherine Ashton's, Herman Van Rompuys, to lead Europe, no less, and the Kirshners to provide an example to South America... Also Obama getting a Nobel Prize, and Arafat too. And that at the top level. Many levels below, we would find Durson, who almost always, for years, is the first poster here. Like just now. Who is never answering criticism. NEVER. But one thing she does continuously: ranting against America, the country which adopted her...

J. Syracuse... Actually clairvoyant one, the frivolous nature of my post... as you call it, comes from the New Republic article. And somehow, I don't think they care... one way or another, if the NY Times was scooped. As fro me... it's all about Ahmadinejad. I wouldn't call him 'intelligent as a fox', but rather 'crazy like a lunatic'. Or maybe a little racist troll with paranoia tendencies. Somebody who has a Napoleonic complex... which he used with brutality over his own population. Cheney and George W... the village idiot, and the Khatami dust bin proposal... are so passe, they're not worthy of any further comment. But I tell you what... you can continue to waste your time on them. Cheers...

Bush, Cheney and the Neocons spent two years planning how to put Iran in just the position it is in. The whole plan was still online at the PNAC website just 2 weeks ago. CIA & Shin Bet trained SAVAK. They in turn used all their newly acquired skills on Khomenei, a guy who had a little influence in Iran up until a few years ago. He made the CIA-Mossad-Shin Bet-SAVAK connection. So yea, Iran had some reasons not to like Israel or the US. Then the US sicced Saddam and provided him with WMD to use against Iranian civilians. Bush the elder stopped that. But Iran had started to acquire capabilities by then. And then Bush the Younger and his buddy Cheney decided to remove the checks and balances on Iran from Iraq and Afghanistan. Worked out just perfectly, too. The common thread is Cheney - from Reagan through to Bush the Younger. Getting Hamas into Iran's circle - WOW! MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!

Wish him and his country the best

Your question is a good one but your answer is quite far off the mark. Iran's leadership is "obsessed" with Israel because of their religious political ideology. It is not a very rational thing. Israel ordinarily does not really extend it's military power into the gulf in a way that challenges Iran, and Israel has no reason to object or fear an Iran as a regional gulf power. Historically and culturally Persian culture and Iranian people are respected and somewhat esteemed by Jews. Iranians are not our enemies. It's the perverse religious political ideology of the ruling Mullahs, and what they say and how they've acted on what they say that makes Israel "obsessed" with them . . . smarten up Mark!

When the Mullahs took over,Iran became an enemy. One of the first guests of the Ayatollah was Arafat.It is unlikely he asked Arafat to aim for a peaceful 2 state solution. Considering the death to Israel marches and the call to "remove zionists",the arming and proxy war conducted by Persian puppets who also want to see Israel removed a normal person would conclude there is room for concern. But I stand to be corrected.How do you think Iran wants to remove Zionists? Ask nicely??

'is considered a delusional lightweight' How interesting to hear your personal opinions on Leverett and his wife. So impressed that the NYT don't approve of him.Neither did Cheney go a bundle on him either. Perhaps Bush and Cheney were none too pleased that Leverett disapproved of the Cheney inspired decision to bin the Iranian proposal? Perhaps like Cheney the NYT are motivated by the fact that Leverett went public on the Iranian offer to open negotiations with the US back in 2003, long 'BEFORE' the NYT ran their first piece on Ahmadinejad. That he revealed that senior sources in what was then the Khatami regime were sounding out the US's willingness to engage Iran, and that they were putting the nuclear program, Iranian support for Hamas and Hizbollah and the Iranians willingness to endorse the Arab peace proposals emanating from Saudi Arabia. We know how the US reacted and we know who inherited Khatami's position in due course. Perhaps Ahmadabad is 'intelligent' as a fox. It doesn't preclude him from being slightly nuts at the same time, hell look at Bush Jnr. He was slightly nuts and not remotely intelligent. Perhaps they deserved each other. Whats for sure, the delusional lightweight is not the former senior director for Middle East affairs at the National Security Council back in 2003 (Leverett) but the frivolous poster at #8.

assad "Leverett added the following: "If Israel were prepared to conclude a peace treaty with Syria, meeting its longstanding requirements [full return of the occupied Golan Heights to the June 4, 1967 lines, etc.], [Assad said he] 'could not say no'." so tell me, whos the one thats holding up peace with syria?.

'who on top of their low class' (re Durson) seriously S, if you wish to belittle or denigrate posters, I suggest you do it without resorting to accusations about 'class'. Such elitism is bordering on the pre historic

You wrote: "Real historical facts mean nothing to you unless they support your Israel prejudices" Quite right; but I have given up pointing out such things to fifth order posters who on top of their low class are also antisemites. There are too many of them on this site...

Saddam Hussein was sponsoring suicide bombings in Israel to the tune of $25,000 a pop, and was providing a house and a car to the suicide bombers family. He had created the conditions that mean't to be a Shaheed set your family up for life. Thats why we attacked Iraq, on the pretext that Saddam was making a nuclear weapon to give to Al Qaeda. Intelligence, which was provided by Israel incidentally

Flynt Leverett and his wife, who happens to be Jewish are infatuated with Ahmadinejad. In Washington policy circles, they're considered delusional lightweights. Articles in the NY Times and the New Republic ridicule them on a daily basis. During Ahmad... visit to the UN last year, the couple were some of the very few US personnel invited to a private dinner party with the little tyrant. Mr. Leverett praised Ahmad... as 'intelligent as a fox', which apparently has gained them mucho respect in Tehran.

As about who is misguided the answer is obvious - it is either the US or Syria. But this sounds rather like say ... who is misguided between a tiger and a rat?

There is a huge gap between what is written in Arabic and what the West is treated to in English. Arabs are the masters of the double talk. In Arabic, it is awell known ways of speaking, which you have to figure out over hours of tea cups. You would rather lie than offend and telling the truth is not the most important thing.

""The obsession to do away with Saddam, Israels worst enemy at the time, has opened the door for Iran."" You seem to forget what prompted the US and UK to get rid of Saddam.He had occupied Kuwait threatening to topple all the regimes created by the Anglo-Americans around the rich oil fields of the Persian Gulf. Years before although Saddam was as hostile to Israel as ever nobody tried to get rid of him.On the contrary they supported him in his war against Iran. Real historical facts mean nothing tpo you unless they support your Israel prejudices

With Israel Not the other way around. Islamist dictators chose to become obsssesed with Israel the minute they took over.One of the first people Khomeini invited to Iran was Arafat,to set the tone of the new order,it is reasonable to assume they were not discussing peace.Peace is not part of Islamist mobs screaming death to Israel and their leaders calling for the removal of "zionists".How do you think they intend to do that ?Ask nicely or run a proxy war against Israel with puppets who also call for the removal of Israel? Please give your argument for ignoring all of the above?

With Israel Not the other way around. Islamist dictators chose to become obsssesed with Israel the minute they took over.One of the first people Khomeini invited to Iran was Arafat,to set the tone of the new order,it is reasonable to assume they were not discussing peace.Peace is not part of Islamist mobs screaming death to Israel and their leaders calling for the removal of "zionists".How do you think they intend to do that ?Ask nicely or run a proxy war against Israel with puppets who also call for the removal of Israel? Please give your argument for ignoring all of the above?

iran has been fighting proxy wars against israel for decades. hence, your claim that iran has not harmed israel is quite wrong and deceiving.

there is nothing that assad can give israel. the non-stop courting of assad by incompetent western powers has achieved nothing. to the contrary, such courting has only increased assad's feelings of self-importance.

Natallie... The law of unintended consequences. You probably mean, that serendipitous outcome of Saadam Hussein found hiding in a rat-hole... and properly being hang by an Iraqi rope, right.

... he even gives it an original twist by pretending that Syria was innocent, hurt and offended for being accused of the heinous Hariri murder...

Flynt Leverett and his wife, who happens to be Jewish are infatuated with Ahmadinejad. In Washington policy circles, they're considered delusional lightweights. Articles in the NY Times and the New Republic ridicule them on a daily basis. During Ahmad... visit to the UN last year, the couple were some of the very few US personnel invited to a private dinner party with the little tyrant. Mr. Leverett praised Ahmad... as 'intelligent as a fox', which apparently has gained them mucho respect in Tehran.

There's an equation anybody can understand. Assad has provided impeccible logic for US recognizing Israel's annexation of the Golan Heights - since Syria says it won't abandon its friends Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran, there is no remote possibility of a "land-for-peace" deal that's worth the paper its written on. Recognizing 1) that the Golan has been peaceful the 43 years that Israel held it compared with the daily artillery attacks into Israel and other incidents making it a world trouble spot the 19 years Syria held it, 2) that the Golan was "placed" into Syria arbitrarily by the Sikes-Picot colonial treaty of questionable legal authority in the first place, and 3) that Syrians have shown by its aggression toward Lebanon and Iraq that they have no idea how to respect neighbors - the Golan will be staying Israeli, and the US should recognize it as such. The rest of the world will fall in line.

The Leverets' piece can be found here: http://www.raceforiran.com/syria?s-strategic-ties-to-the-islamic-republic-diplomacy-in-the-post-iraqpost-peace-process-middle-east

Please shut up. Please don't be annoyed by my honesty and by my speaking my mind. Shut up you arrogant, ignorant infidel. Shut up.

The big lie. Iran's rise certainly has come at Syria's expense in Lebanon, where Iran has supplanted Syria as the hegemonic power. In big Assad's time, Iran was the junior partner to Syria in Lebanon. Now it's the other way around. Little Assad is a mere shadow of his father.

If I were Israel...I offer the "pinhead", Assad....nothing. Syria is an artificial country created out of land that was part of the Turkish Empire and France and England carved out a country. Assad ought to get used to the idea that the Golan, (a former part of Judea) will not be returned...quel domage! Unless, idiotic leftist guilt forces Israel to relent...and then it's back to "threats against the Emek Hayarden".

I think that Assad will find Obama's willingness for talking short-lived. Syria is the same Syria and that will cut the dialogue short.

Will Assad adopt that little boy standing next to him? Holy crap! That's the ugliest kid I ever saw! What made him age so fast? He makes Cheetah look like Tarzan!

The World Can Not and Will Not live with Terrorists which Iran and their guard dogs Hez and Hammas are Renowned For. So there you have it folks, be prepared for higher gas prices. Buy shoes from Canada where child labour is non existance and no lead in the makings like in China

Why are Israel and Iran so obsessed with each other? Neither is close enough or powerful enough to conquer the others. Perhaps that is the essential factor. Each is the perfect 'boogie man,' with which to scare their own public. Israel could 'nuke' Iran today, but what would that gain Israel? Nothing. And if Iran could 'nuke' Israel that would only cause retaliation. So if they cannot harm each other, why the obsession? Because people are easily manipulated by fear. It serves the governments of Israel and Iran to keep their populace afraid of the other.

And what nation kept the Shah in power? And what nation removed the worst enemy Iran had and replaced him with a government tightly united with Iran? The American Right. The republican party, created Al-Queada, and gave to Iran overwhelming influence with the government of Iraq. Hat's off to Ronald Reagan, patron Saint of Osama bin Laden and George W. Bush who delivered Iraq to Iran. All that remains to be seen is if George W. Bush delivered Pakistan's nukes to the Taliban. The psychotic right has fugged up so badly in the last three decades that the future of the world is in question. Why does Israel alone pursue the mindless pathology of the psychotic right? A good question.

I think when Ahmadinejad went around shooting dead everybody that knew that Mousavi had won the election, Ahmadinejad felt empowered. I mean when a person can just go around saying kill all the good looking women but save the ugly ones, that's power!

That depends upon what Israel wants. Does Israel want all of Judea and Samaria? Then it is not it's worst enemy. Does Israel want peace? Then those Israelis who want all of Judea and Samaria are Israel's worst enemies.

The United States of America has screwed up so many times that the only thing it could hope to do to improve it's position in the Mideast, Central Asia and South Asia is to withdraw for a generation and then gently reengage. In the 1970s America became Israel's mindless protector, and the mindless supporter of the Shah of Iran. In the 1980s, America became the nation which with Saudi created Al Queada and sow the seeds of Taliban in Pakistan. In the 1990s, America became the nation which failed in it's greatest opportunity to foster peace between Israel and Palestine. And in the first decade of the 21st century America became the nation which delivered Iraq into the arms of Iran, led the talban to resurgent victory in Afghanistan and launched enough predator strikes in Pakistan to create the very real threat of a Taliban take-over of that nation. Repeatedly, for short-sighted, or internal political gain - the USA has been it's worst enemy and the best friend of Radical Jihadist.

get out the deal? Peace you say. Well, (a) both get that in theory. Of course, we have seen the kind of peace that Israel gets from its Arab peace partners. True its better than fighting but it "ain't no peace" and there not fighting anyway. Most of us hope for genuine peace but there has to be a stark recognition by the Arab world that it started maiming, abusing and killing Jews, well before there was an Israel and that includes Jews who had maintained their ties to their mother country for millenia. You know, when the Grand Mufti organized the Arab brigade to help Hitler, that was as an overtly guilty act as there could possibly be. He was fully cognizant about what the agenda was and was smacking his stinking lips at the prospect.

Nothing to do with the tide of Islamism sweeping the world? Shia vs Sunni for preeminence in the Moslem world has nothing to do with the USA neither has Global jihad to bring Islam to the Infidels,other than they see the US as their biggest obstacle. Bin Ladens son has just written a book on how dad wants to bring down the USA so he can Islamise the world.

and they are quite prepared to directly & indirectly target civilians, I suppose there is nothing then to negotiate.

Unlike some nations that lie through their teeth when the truth is plain to see, the Syrian president has said something that we all already know and agree with. The obsession to do away with Saddam, Israels worst enemy at the time, has opened the door for Iran. This is something that Iran could have never done alone. It was America, no doubt with Israeli advice, that has reshuffled the deck in the mideast. The law of unintended consequences can never be disrespected. Israel and America take note.