the old and the new... Coming to Iran soon?
No newspapers are getting in or out of Syria, the media is controlled very tight, and the Syrian scene witnessed a dramatic, security deterioration the last 24 hours.
Precise Intelligence reports coming from Syria indicated massive army troops deployment around the capital Damascus. Most of the military Barracks of the Syrian Army around Damascus gave allegiance to the dissidents: Syrian Interior Minister Ghazi Kanaan and General Ali Safi. These people in the Syrian Army were against the withdrawal from Lebanon.
It is known that President Bashar Assad is in the city of Alleppo, assessing the internal situation within Syria and trying to organize a "forced" return to Damascus.
I know that the rebellious forces aren't pro-democracy, yet I think it is interesting. It appears the me that as of right now, the Syria-Iran axis is making Lebanon the red line. That they won't give up the country. Or they are trying to see if the US is bluffing.
Bush could put Assad out of power by the weekend if he gave the order this evening. Assad may be betting that Bush will be hesitant to use force.
Was encouraged to see the President say that once Iran rejects the incentives, it goes to the UN. Not that I have any faith in the UN, but it *may* suggest that the timeline may be Iran's refusal to comply with an incentive package. Iran has already emphatically declined the incentives. In my mind, the discussion is over. Although I will admit my personality isn't necessarily compatible with diplomats. If I want something, I do what's necessary to accomplish goal. The new Iran policy orientation seems to be a bit of an indirect method.
As I see it, the sooner Iran gets to the UN Security Council, the sooner we have regime change. Again, not that the UN itself has any relevance in this matter.