Report: U.S. undermining Syrian leader

[lovuian]

http://feeds.bignewsnetwork.com/?sid=221744

A classified document seen by Time magazine says the Bush administration is quietly trying to politically undermine Syrian President Bashar Assad's regime.

The two-page document said the United States already is supporting meetings within Syria and in Europe to facilitate a more coherent strategy and plan of action for all anti-Assad activists, Time said Wednesday in its online edition.
more...
Bush has been very busy undermining Syria and Iran too

See you can defeat a leader you don't like ... You don't need troops

[babylonsister]

1. Well then the blivet won't appreciate this-cut off at the pass?

Kerry: Syria leader wants to assist in Iraq


http://www.boston.com/news/world/middleeast/articles/20...

Kerry: Syria leader wants to assist in Iraq

By Rick Klein, Globe Staff | December 20, 2006

Senator John F. Kerry said Wednesday that President Bashar Assad of Syria expressed a willingness to work with the United States to bring stability to Iraq, and said Assad personally offered assistance that Kerry plans to convey to the Bush administration.

Kerry -- who visited Syria along with Senator Christopher J. Dodd, Democrat of Connecticut, despite the administration's opposition to the trip -- said the meeting with Assad reinforced the need to follow the Iraq Study Group's recommendation that the US government directly engage Syria and Iran to find a way forward in Iraq.

"He offered some very direct and concrete ways in which they could be helpful in Iraq," Kerry said in an interview conducted by telephone from Damascus. "I came away with a distinct feeling that there are opportunities here. There are fronts in which we can work together if people are inclined to."

Kerry said the Assad government is interested in approaching the Iraq war from a regional perspective, where other Middle East issues -- including the Israeli-Palestinian conflict -- are part of the equation. The Massachusetts Democrat said he would not publicly discuss the substance of his talks with Assad until he has fully briefed State Department officials about his visit...........

[rollopollo]

2. Keep 'em coming

So much for talks with Syria.

So we have a war we're losing in Iraq, a war in Afghanistan which has gotten progressively worse and desperately requires attention; we have threatened Iran and moved a military presence next to them in the Gulf. And we are arming insurgents in Syria. Yes arming them; I know the report said we were aiding their cause in the election; but everyone knows Syria is not your average democracy. My sense is that we're sending them money purportedly for campaigning purposes. The primary opposition to Assad is the Muslim brotherhood, which has hinted at instituting Islamic rule if they take office. And they've fought a bloody war w/Assad in the past (his father). Once again, we may be toppling a leader only to create greater chaos. So we have potentially 4 wars in the middle east.

BTW, in case anyone wonders, after 9/11 we had been working closely with Syria and they had been assisting us round up terrorists. However, later, Syria was on the Security Council. And guess what? They VOTED yes on the resolution for confronting Iraq. (http://www.jamestown.org/publications_details.php?volume_id=400&issue_id=3101&article_id=2368656) But their "sin" was they sided with France to tone down the language. And for that, the bad blood began. And its gotten worse, in part because we became hostile to Syria after that interaction.

Recently the Gulf Cooperation Council, consisting of 6 middle eastern countries, stated their interest in acquiring nuclear energy. It should be obvious by now that it will only be a matter of time before we "confront" them as well.