US consults Israel over Syria regime change: report

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20051003/pl_afp/mideastisraelussyria_051003203114

JERUSALEM (AFP) - US officials have held talks with Israeli counterparts about the prospect of a regime change in Damascus and possible successors to President Bashar al-Assad, a newspaper report said.

Government sources quoted by the Haaretz daily said senior American officials had expressed interest in Israel's assessment of possible successors to Assad, asking them who they believed could maintain regional stability.

The Israelis had in turn indicated that they would prefer to see a weakened Assad in power, believing that the regime in Damascus would be greatly embarrassed by an upcoming report into the February assassination of the former Lebanese premier Rafiq Hariri.

There have been widespread allegations in Lebanon that Damascus had a hand in the killing.

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon was also quoted as telling the newspaper that Syria was still trying to exert influence in Lebanon despite the April withdrawal of its troops from its smaller neighbour.

that they would prefer to see a weakened Assad in power..."

If this is true (not "cover", etc), then it's worth noting.

However, exactly what "weakened" means is unclear.

Still, if realism is on the rise (here (lol), there -- or anywhere), I applaud it.

Who could possibly want another Iraq-style fiasco (anarchy, violence, chaos) on the borders of Israel?

How can they just blithely discuss 'regime change' in another country? Why don't they have the balls to say what they're actually discussing - the overthrow of a sovereign government? Couching it in euphemisms like 'regime change' makes it sound like they are redecorating.

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/632079.html

<snip>

"Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz said on Tuesday that U.S pressure on Damascus may bring about a dramatic change in Syrian government.

In an interview to Israel Radio, Mofaz said that Syria's involvement in the assassination of former Lebanon president, Rafik Hariri, and its support of Iraqi insurgents operating from within its territory, will bring about U.S actions that may overthrow Bashar Assad's regime.

"I won't be surprised if Syria gets a red-card (by the U.S)," Mofaz said, using a metaphor taken from soccer terminology. "(The U.S) will take actions against Syria, beginning with economic sanctions and moving on to others, that will make it clear to the Syrians that their policies do not comply with U.N decisions, the U.S's new world order or the prohibition of sovereign state's to support terrorism."

They see Assad as weak and vulnerable to a coup, which he may well be. They think overthowing the Baathists in Syria would be a cheap and easy victory.

The neocons are in desperate straights. Likuud and its allies within BushCo need a big change in public mood, or they're going down together. Replacing Assad would put another notch on their belts, and advance the PNAC "Clean Break" agenda another step. See, http://www.israeleconomy.org/strat1.htm

Stop drinking the Kool-aid about "Israel's survival." They are going to survive despite rhetoric about destroying Israel. the only nations in the ME in danger of being "destroyed" are Syria, Iraq, Iran, and maybe even Jordan. Afterall, the US did invade Iraq and topple its leader. There may be conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinains but I see more likelihood of the genocide of the Palestinians than a destruction of Israel. The US is supporting Israel...who is arming the Palestinians? No one who can match the US.

I don't drink Kool-Aid.

anymore.