[SunkenCiv]

Headline should be, "Under U.S. Pressure" -- the only reason Syria started to hop to it (and this process will soon cease; Syria doesn't intend to completely pull out of Lebanon) is that GWB spoke at the UN. Period.

Syria's contribution to Iraqi instability comes at the price of a trickle of revenue from the export pipeline that runs from Iraq to the Mediterranean through Syrian territory (the elder Asad shut that down during the Gulf War, then the younger -- I think -- Asad reopened it in violation of sanctions a few years ago). Jordan, not Iran, is the main problem with Iraqi stability, and probably will be the next serious crisis in the region. Y'know, as opposed to a non-serious crisis... ;')

George W. Bush will be reelected by a margin of at least ten per cent

[Genoa]

Don't expect any results from this shell game. Syria will pull out when forced out by something much more potent than suasion.

[SunkenCiv]

a Middle East ping (not a ping list, just a ping).

[Jack_1]

Reported Syrian troop “redeployment” in Lebanon said to involve no more than 1,000 of 17,000 troops in country. None are actually moving out of Lebanon as demanded by UN Security Council.
The Syrians will move them from one place to another in Lebanon indefinitely just to keep the UN off thire backs.

[jmaroneps37]

UN!!! pressure?????????

[numberonepal]

UN pressure my butt. Bush Doctrine.

[SunkenCiv]

the setup, a different bombing, from two months ago:

Car bomb explodes in Damascus:
Syria accuses Israel of attempted assassination of Hamas man!
Haaretz | 13/12/2004
Posted on 12/13/2004 10:56:34 AM PST by IAF ThunderPilot
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1300501/posts

selection topics related to the Hariri assassination by Syria:

Assassination in Beirut
Washington Times | Tuesday, February 15, 2005 | By Nadim Ladki
Posted on 02/14/2005 11:55:49 PM PST by JohnHuang2
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1343399/posts

Hariri Murder Was Syrian Warning To France, Say Commentators
The Tocqueville Connection | 15 Feb 2005 | The Tocqueville Connection
Posted on 02/15/2005 5:00:28 AM PST by Cornpone
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1343511/posts

Initial Reactions to the Assassination of Former Lebanese President
(Iranian TV-"It's the Jews")
MEMRI TV (Middle East Media Research Institute) | February 14, 2005
Posted on 02/15/2005 1:23:10 AM PST by Stoat
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1343445/posts

Lebanon politics: A brazen killing
The Economist Business Unit
Posted on 02/15/2005 5:43:02 AM PST by Alex Marko
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1343535/posts

Mob Blames Syria for Hariri Assassination
Yahoo! News (AP) | 2/15/2005 | Sam F. Ghattas
Posted on 02/15/2005 7:15:06 AM PST by Pyro7480
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1343602/posts

U.S. to Syria: Leave Lebanon
MichNews | Feb 15, 2005 | David Gollust
Posted on 02/15/2005 3:13:07 AM PST by AliVeritas
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1343471/posts

related to the Syrian faux withdrawal:

Cannon goes missing during Syrian pullout
Daily Star (Lebanon) | Tuesday, September 28, 2004 | Agence France Presse
Posted on 09/28/2004 9:59:13 AM PDT by SunkenCiv
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1229373/posts

related to the eventual liberation of Syria:

Syrian activist gets rights prize
Trade Arabia | Wednesday, January 12, 2005 | staff
Posted on 01/13/2005 6:12:43 PM PST by SunkenCiv
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1320423/posts