[Ben Mugged]

Since the 1970s Syria has pursued what is now one of the most advanced Arab state chemical weapons (CW) capabilities. It has a stockpile of the nerve agent sarin that can be delivered by aircraft or ballistic missiles, and has engaged in the research and development of more toxic and persistent nerve agents such as VX.

Why would a "merchant nation" pursue WMDs along with Iran and North Korea? Their economy is based on:

Natural resources: petroleum, phosphates, chrome and manganese ores, asphalt, iron ore, rock salt, marble, gypsum, hydropower. Exports: $6.344 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.): crude oil, petroleum products, fruits and vegetables, cotton fiber, clothing, meat and live animals, wheat. Imports: $5.973 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.): machinery and transport equipment, electric power machinery, food and livestock, metal and metal products, chemicals and chemical products, plastics, yarn, paper. Major trading partners: Italy, France, Turkey, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Ukraine, China, Russia, U.S., South Korea, Italy (2004)

If you believe these farmers and miners are trading missiles and WMDs with terrorists for profit, you are gravely, and dangerously, mistaken.

[Southack]

"If you believe these farmers and miners are trading missiles and WMDs with terrorists for profit..."

As a general rule, Syrians simply extract a fee for *whatever* passes through their lands. They are more like a toll booth than a trader.