Good article. I does give one a better idea as to the tensions in at this particular border check point. But an equal important point is what one sees here is one of the few border crossings that have towns on both sides of the border in such close proximity. Along streches of the total border one can go for fifty miles plus without seeing any towns on either side. Sandscum can cross in the light of day with no one in site, if they are willing to hike into remote areas, and then make their way down to bedeuine villages (think tents, camels), that smugglers use daily to transverse the borders. Then they meet up with outpost goons that can take them to safehouse areas, whatever, deeper into Al Anbar. As the Syrians correctly state, and I have been told my a Marine that has been in western/northern Al Anbar, it is not easy to stop the total flow, and in fact quite impossible. So again, the political solution must go forth, to the point that the Sunni tell the foreign fighter groups to stop infiltrating. Put another way. We don't want you anymore, and as soon as you are discovered you are going to be pointed out. No different then say telling a local policeman that some druggies are operating out of a house in their neighborhood. The Iraqi populace is the solution to removing all forms of the insurgency in my opinion.
We have absolutely no control over our own borders. What makes us think we can hold Syria accountable for who crosses theirs?