Appeasing Assad

It turns out that there are second acts in international politics. Four years after the Bush administration severed diplomatic relations with Syria, in the aftermath of the Damascus regime’s suspected involvement in the assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafiq Hariri, the unofficial member of the “axis of evil” has received a warmer reception from the Bush administration’s successor. President Obama has expressed his intention to engage Syria, and the administration took a decisive step in that direction last month when it announced plans to send an ambassador to the country.

But as the U.S. prepares to engage the Assad regime, it must be aware of the potential dangers of such a move. By extending an olive branch to Syria, the Obama administration risks legitimizing a dictatorship that has brutally suppressed democrats and human-rights activists while fueling the insurgency in Iraq and aiding al-Qaeda affiliated terrorists – all while casting itself as the only reasonable choice to rule the country.

Note: The following blog entry is a quote:

http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/18278.htm

U.S. Says Still Time To Establish Diplomatic Relations With Iran; Syria Pleased With U.S. Softening Towards It

In an interview with the London daily Al-Sharq Al-Awsat U.S. Acting Assistant Secretary of State Jeffery Feltman said that the U.S. thought that there was still time to establish diplomatic contacts with Iran, but that a more aggressive approach might be necessary.

He added that his country and Syria had common interests such as the security situation in Iraq, but that Syria still supported terror organizations like Hizbullah and that therefore U.S. sanctions against it should be renewed.

The paper also reported, citing French sources, that despite the Obama administration’s criticism of it, and despite the fact that it is keeping it on the list of countries supporting terrorism, Syria is pleased at successfully “breaking the ice” in its relations with the U.S., and with President Obama’s lack of pro-Israel bias.

Source: Al-Sharq Al-Awsat, London, July 16, 2009

Posted at: 2009-07-16

And why would the communist, racist, anti-American disciple of Jeremiah Wright care about suppression of democrats and human-rights activists?

“President Obama has expressed his intention to engage Syria...”

“Engage” is Polite Speak for “kiss Syrian butt.” BHO seems to think he can trust these Arabs to join him in his choruses of Kumbaya; he’s going to find out he’s wrong.

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