U.S. sells Syria dual-use tech that could be used by Iran

World Tribune ^ | January 31, 2008

[TBP]

The Bush administration has approved the sale of advanced dual-use computers to Syria.

"It's a major piece of equipment and is being given to an ally that could use it for military purposes as well as share it with Iran," an official said. The export, disclosed by the U.S. television network Fox, was approved despite U.S. sanctions on Damascus of military and advanced dual-use systems. Syria, deemed a terrorist sponsor, has been in the same category as Iran and North Korea.

[TBP]

Why the heck are we selling dual-use technology to jihadi terrorists who cooperate with the Mad Mullahs?

[Cindy]

If this is accurate, I must say TBP your question is excellent.

[endthematrix]

Allowing the the US to “buy-back” all of Saddam’s WMD the Syrians now hold and don’t want? A win-win. No scrutinizing of Syria in front of the “world community” about the WMD question and no pressure to the US administration to enter into armed conflict. Assad’s a player.

[FR Class of 1998]

What makes you think the US gets something out of the deal?

[Rob112586]

This makes zero sense.

[WSGilcrest]

Now there's some dual use technology for you right there!

[onedoug]

Unless it's some sort of duplicitous electronics trick. But we don't want them to know that. So they'll think it is. But it really won't be. Yet it will.

'Makes sense, eh?

[endthematrix]

I think the US has been holding Syria from the limelight of it’s complicity with Saddam and the run-up until the invasion. I think we have been coaxing Assad into stability at most. We’ve put “Syria on notice” which can mean something, but in reality - nothing. We aren’t going to enter into armed conflict with Syria. And Syria would be easier than Iran in a full bore conflict. I think Syria offers more to the US if the Administration can deflect the fact there was a wide open border between Syria and Iraq. Also, a workable Syria can offer more diplomacy to Sudan/Darfur a more real hotspot (boots on ground) that the UN/US has more interest in than Iran.

[sageb1]

hmmmm... Executive Order: Blocking Property of Additional Persons in Connection with the National Emergency with Respect to Syria

[endthematrix]

Oh and I forgot...leverage in Lebanon.

[FR Class of 1998]

I know your heart is in the right place, but that’s all based on wishful thinking. What is far more likely is that the proper legislators/civil servants were bribed and the approval was made on that basis. The American people probably got nothing out of this deal. Syria and Sudan and Iran... these people are genocidal maniacs who wish us dead, there is no deal we could make with them that would inure to our benefit.

[Eye of Unk]

Always let the enemy think they are smarter than you.

[endthematrix]

Wishful thinking is right. I did say Assad is a player. And leverage is leverage. But the mightiest of all is the the US military. I dislike the State Dept because it’s constantly playing two sides..and the fact Rice has Bush’s ear. IIRC, the Commerce Dept has export control and I don’t know if this decision was recent and from on high (Bush’s pen) or just policy. I don’t think easy bribes would be posted on an export authorization. That stuff is published and the MSM (like this) has a field day.

BTW thanks for the reply!

[billmor]

What ??

[familyop]

Our Government has been trying to make deals with the Syrians since before the Mideast conference in Annapolis against Israel. If we hadn’t elected Obama to be our President, this wouldn’t be happening.

Oops...er, if we elect McCain, this won’t happen.

Uh...Okay, Hillary would save us. Right?

Alright.

Maybe we have a leadership problem. ...took me two or three decades to figure that out.

Never mind.

[familyop]

Oh...forgot to use a suitable tagline, seein’ the enormous amounts of military fuel being burned to intimidate the enemy and keep morale up.

[Virginia Ridgerunner]

Don’t worry, they’ve probably got some nasty trojan horses secretly installed in their operating systems. Remember what the CIA did to the Russians in the 1980s with their pipeline?

[forest6147]

and is being given to an ally,

syria’s an ally?