Terrorists may exploit Syria crisis, US fears

[allemand]

Uzi Mahnaimi, Tel Aviv, and Tony Allen-Mills, Washington

THE exposure of an alleged assassination plot by key officials in Syria could cause the regime in Damascus to collapse, undermining America’s efforts to prevent terrorists from slipping across the border with Iraq, US intelligence agencies have warned. (...)

American, British and Israeli intelligence agencies have concluded that Assad’s position has been seriously weakened by the allegations that his powerful brother-in-law, Asef Shawkat, the head of Syria’s military intelligence, plotted to murder Hariri, a prominent opponent of Syrian involvement in Lebanon, who died when his motorcade was blown up in Beirut.

US officials were publicly adamant last week that the UN should consider punitive action against Syria. But there was private concern in Washington that Assad might fall before a viable alternative regime emerged. “We don’t want chaos in Syria while we’re trying to stop chaos in Iraq,” an official said.

According to senior Middle East sources, Assad was present at a meeting when Shawkat and the president’s brother, Maher, argued that Hariri should be assassinated. Assad is said to have rejected the plan, but Shawkat and Maher — who is also chief of the presidential guard — allegedly went ahead anyway.

More:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2089-1838577,00.html

Intelligence community vs. neocons, round two?

[texpatriot2004]

1. Yeah, the International Terrorists in Washington DC in the WH nt

[pinto]

2. We've yelled "fire" in a crowded theater...n/t

[cornermouse]

3. "U.S. fears" Hah!

What do you want to bet that Shawkat and Maher had shadow figures in the background egging them on?

This like everything else is just a little too convenient and too well timed to be just another happy coincidence.

[bemildred]

4. What bullshit. Working their asses off to destabilize Syria. they are.

There is nothing the Bushites would like better.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

5. Bush terrorists may exploit Syria crisis, US citizens fear.

[Orsino]

6. Bush may invent Syria crisis, US fears. n/t

[MadisonProgressive]

7. ...could cause the regime in Damascus to collapse...

And guess who would be orchestrating the 'collapsing'??

[allemand]

8. Perhaps the intelligence community is trying to convey to the Bushites

that toppling Bashar al-Asad may have "adverse effects" like strengthening fundamentalism and giving al-Qaeda even more opportunities to spread chaos in the region?

[KoKo]

9. HA! You mean those intelligence agencies who LIED US INTO IRAQ?

"American, British and Israeli intelligence agencies ...." quote from article.

:rofl: Yeah, tell it to me again!

[matt819]

10. Alternative Headline

US may exploit Syria crisis, World fears