[Steel Wolf]

An emboldened Lebanese opposition mobilized more than 800,000 people to demand an end to Syrian military domination of Lebanon, hurling a potent challenge to the Syrian-backed government here.

Without the threat of force, a tyrant loses his second greatest weapon. His first weapon, of course, is fear. The Lebanese no longer fear Syria, and they know that 'Hama rules' are no longer in effect. Assad may be incompetent, but not nearly so that he'd start shelling unarmed protesters in the streets while half the U.S. military is parked in his backyard.

Syria can't strike back, so they're stuck trying to out protest the protester with their goon squads shoring up the numbers. That's a clumsy move that is already backfiring. Then again, Syria's been on a roll, as far as clumsy moves go. They may already be past the point of no return, especially if the internal powers in the military and security apparatus turn on Assad.

[Prophet in the wilderness]

You gotta love the strategy and the boldness of our military planners and President Bush's team.
I love it, Syria is stuck between a rock ( no pun intended , as to between IRAQ and a hard place ) and a hard place.
Assad knows, and is very aware, that if he makes a wrong move and comes down hard on the Lebanese people, it will give the US a good reason to use military force on Syria.
As Jackie Gleason use to say " How Sweet it is " .
Let freedom ring.