[MadIvan]

Hadn't seen this reported anywhere else.

Regards, Ivan

[MadIvan]

Bump!

[livius]

At least seven senior Iraqis were yesterday reported to be hiding in Syria

I wonder if these are among the crew that was turned over today. If so, it would be a positive sign.

[Jeff Head]

This is exactly what we should do ... and then dare Syria to try and get uppity about it.

The pressure on them is going to be enormous, as well it should. Part of their population, the radical Palistinians and others on the Arab "street" will demand some act ... some way to stand up to the U.S. ... which would of course invite the full weight of the 4th ID in on them.

The leaders will be caught between a rock and a hard place, as I believe the strategy is planned. Paint them right into a corner. Either they change for the good and get out of the terrorism business in a way that is both obvious and sincere ... or they come down.

[Illbay]

I would love to see a Tom Clancy-like movie scene, with Colin Powell and some of his underlings meeting in D.C. with the Syrian delegation to the U.S., to discuss this.

The scene goes along for about five minutes with each side exchanging formal communique's of the type with which modern diplomacy is rife, and then Mr. Powell pauses, realizing they're not going to get through the bullsh*t into the meat of the matter.

So he asks his guys to take a break and show their counterparts some of the artwork in the next room, but asks the Syrian Ambassador to remain.

When the door closes, Sec. of State Colin Powell, General, U.S. Army (Retired), looks the Syrian square in the eye, and with a voice barely containing his rage growls "now listen to me, you smarmy son of a *****! You will turn over all intelligence as to the whereabouts of these &&&&&&&&. You will instruct your government that they will keep corridors through your airspace to those locations open until further notice, and you will not interfere with whatever operation we have in store.

"If you do not, I ask you to consider this one question: Where is the former Iraqi Ambassador under Saddam Hussein right now?"

The Syrian Ambassador remains en tableau, his gaze frozen to that of Sec. Powell like a field mouse caught in the python's glare. He comes to himself, and offers his excuses, saying he must make some phone calls.

Fade out.

[dc-zoo]

Why wait for an attack on one of our bases? Just take the bastards out now.

[GunRunner]

Could you clarify a bit? Is this article saying that Hezbollah is going to retaliate against American forces in hopes that American forces will blame these attacks on Syria and then invade.

To me it doesn't seem to be in Hezbollah's interest to see the Assad regime fall into trouble since it is its second biggest donor. Just MO.

[madfly]

ping

[uncbob]

They ought to carpet bomb the BEKKA VALLEY into oblivion

[MeekOneGOP]

Bttt . . .

Encouraged by their victory in Iraq, hawks close to the Bush administration are now pressing for a crackdown on Syria to isolate Islamic radicals.

The looming showdown is heightening concern that either side could provoke an incident that might spiral into war. If Hezbollah concludes that its days in Lebanon’s Beka’a valley are numbered, it might try to provoke an American military attack on Damascus as a means of igniting international outrage.

[TheLion]

Bump!

[tomahawk]

If Hezbollah does it, it's "parking lot" time.

[Dutchy]

A wartime update bump...

[geedee]

We, both the Brits and us war-mongering Americans, have giant bullseyes on our backs. These zealots are gonna take some whacks at us . . . I say to them "Give it your best shot, jackass, but make your peace with Allah first! We've turned the other cheek for the last time."

We're gonna have to take 'em on sometime, might as well do it now when we're already ready to party and we might as well do it in their own backyards so London and New York streets don't bear the brunt of their cowardly attacks.

[George W. Bush]

We need to hit the Bekaa valley now with stealth aircraft and stealthy armed drones. And we need to get very aggressive on holding Syria responsible for the actions of any terrorist element entering Iraq from Syria, including via Jordan.

[jbstrick]

Great Catch!! (as always)

Thank you MadIvan

[Servant of the Nine]

Syria protects Hezbollah.

Well, Afghanistan used to protect Al Quaida.

Think about that Bashar.
Think about it a lot.
While you still can.

So9

[Oldeconomybuyer]

Let it be known. If radical islamists target coalition forces in Iraq, Lebanon’s Beka’a valley will become a killing field.

God willing.

[Pharmboy]

Great: but what are the Arabists at the State Department doing these days?

[prairiebreeze]

Encouraged by their victory in Iraq, hawks close to the Bush administration are now pressing for a crackdown on Syria to isolate Islamic radicals.

One persons hawk is another person's no-nonsense, take charge visionary.

Prairie

[Major_Risktaker]

SYRIA IS A NEST OF TERRORATS.

Hamas Covenant 1988

The Covenant of the Islamic Resistance Movement 18 August 1988 In The Name Of The Most Merciful Allah

These conferences are only ways of setting the infidels in the land of the Moslems as arbitraters. When did the infidels do justice to the believers?

"But the Jews will not be pleased with thee, neither the Christians, until thou follow their religion; say, The direction of Allah is the true direction. And verily if thou follow their desires, after the knowledge which hath been given thee, thou shalt find no patron or protector against Allah." (The Cow - verse 120).

There is no solution for the Palestinian question except through Jihad. Initiatives, proposals and international conferences are all a waste of time and vain endeavors. The Palestinian people know better than to consent to having their future, rights and fate toyed with. As in said in the honourable Hadith:

"The people of Syria are Allah's lash in His land. He wreaks His vengeance through them against whomsoever He wishes among His slaves It is unthinkable that those who are double-faced among them should prosper over the faithful. They will certainly die out of grief and desperation."