Bashar of Arabia: Syria's strongman has a big problem -- he's rather weak

Wall Street Journal ^ | September 4, 2003 | EYAL ZISSER

[presidio9]

Seasoned observers long ago abandoned the hope they once had, in the days after the death in June 2000 of the dictator Hafez al-Assad, of any change in Syria. But even they were surprised at how Assad's son and heir, Bashar, handled the most important test of his short period in power -- the war to oust Saddam Hussein.

[.cnI redruM]

Assad may be the next Muslim leader that OBL attempts to FInlandize and use as a state sponsor. We may need to give Assad another big problem known as the 101st ABN if he doesn't start getting control of his people in the Bekka Valley.

[dennisw]

Syria has no oil so it's donkey cart style Muslim nation. An impoversished hole run by a dictator. A Paleostinian state will do no better.

[RonHolzwarth]

Gee, wonder if he ever read the Old Testament,

Isaiah chapter 17:

[1] An oracle concerning Damascus.

Behold, Damascus will cease to be a city,
and will become a heap of ruins.

[2] Her cities will be deserted for ever;
they will be for flocks,
which will lie down, and none will make them afraid.

[ASA Vet]

OBL isn't a problem, as he's been dead since before Dec 13th, 2001.

Assad's biggest problem is that his country is likely #1 on our "next list."
The US already has the combat troops needed in "Staging Area Iraq," (SAI.)

[Mackey]

Let's consolidate Iraq first, then we can leave.

Through Damascus.