Is Syria the next Iraq?

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/FC12Ak04.html

<Even before US occupation forces settled into former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein's palaces in Baghdad, the neo-conservatives who have set the direction of the Bush presidency's radical foreign and military policies were looking toward Syria. And before the month is out, US officials said on Wednesday, President Bush will announce new sanctions against Syria - accusing the northern neighbor of Israel, Lebanon and Iraq of many of the same offenses that were leveled against the Hussein regime in Iraq. The charge list includes developing biological and chemical weapons of mass destruction, condemning the US occupation of Iraq, supporting international terrorism and succoring anti-US and anti-Israeli guerrilla forces. >

<The neo-conservatives...have followed a similar strategy to advance their agenda for political transformation in Syria and Lebanon. In much the same way that they moved forward their agenda for regime change in Iraq step-by-step, the neo-con advocates for a radical transformation in the Middle East have, in the case of Syria and Lebanon, also formed a "front group" - the USCFL - and supported bipartisan legislation that would establish the political base for sanctions against Iraq - and eventual US military action. USCFL's page of "selected links" recommends just three lobbying organizations: the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations,the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, and the Christian Coalition of America.>


<USCFL's core supporters, which it calls its "Golden Circle", include several members of the Bush administration: Elliott Abrams, Richard Perle, Paula Dobriansky, Michael Rubin and David Wurmser. Other prominent neo-cons in the Golden Circle include Daniel Pipes (Middle East Forum and US Institute for Peace), Frank Gaffney (Center for Security Policy), Jeane Kirkpatrick (American Enterprise Institute or AEI), Michael Ledeen (AEI), David Steinmann (Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs) and Eleana Benador (Middle East Forum). Also included in this circle of those who have donated US$1,000 or more to USCFL is Republican Eliot Engel, the congressional representative who was the main sponsor of the Syria Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Restoration Act of 2003.>

< In 2000 Pipes co-authored a jingoistic report with Abdelnour that advocated the use of US military action to force Syria out of Lebanon and to disarm Syria of its alleged weapons of mass destruction. Virtually all 31 signatories of this MEF report, which was used to persuade Congress to introduce and pass the Syria Accountability Act, are USCFL members, and several became high officials or advisers in the Bush foreign policy team, including Abrams, Perle, Dobrianksy, Wurmser and Douglas Feith, the US Undersecretary of Defense for Policy. >

Syria may be it.

<If the president imposes sanctions against Syria rather than attempting to engage it through diplomatic channels, it's likely that the Syrian regime will be painted with the same fear-mongering brush used to justify the invasion of Iraq. With Osama bin Laden still on the lam and bedlam in occupied Iraq, the Bush administration needs to refocus public attention on another evildoer...>

...of these charlatans. I'm sure that the Europeans would secretly love to see our neo fascist junta bogged down in the mideast. It will irreparably damage our economy and international position for decades to come.

What a collosal waste of national resources.

If Bush is elected in 2004, he will certainly invade Syria and maybe even Iran. The masses obviously don't care about the rationale they are given for war.

...the alternative is so grim. The media is loosening up somewhat. I think the economy has quite a few people pissed off and awakened from their blissful unawareness.

Kerry represents a constellation of powerful interests. These interests are CFR/Rhodesian types as well. They seem ready to shed the neo-fascist pupae and spread liberal wings. There are greener targets of opportunity than Syria or Lebanon and there are more subtle ways to exploit and dominate the earth. If the oil/defense lobby allows it, Kerry will be president.

Would the neo fascists in power take the ultimate risk? So far they've gambled and won. They've actually harmed themselves by not hanging out some of their criminals like Cheney. If some serious investigations were underway (republican led necessarily), chimp could pardon everyone tainted in any way and go out peacefully, without fear of any untoward backlash. Bush I aquiesced politely to Clinton rule. There were many sensible reasons for this. The Chimp regime's go for broke style is very arrogant and speaks of authoritarianism. This is why I fear more extreme responses from them and a desperate bid to stay in power.

Will the BFEE stay in the ineffectual mode which tacitly acquiesces the white house or will they go black bag? A middle road is to go quietly but use the black box to retain control of the legislature but not the executive. This last approach would serve corporate and imperial interests the best. If they have military industrial complex backing, the BFEE will go black bag to stay in power and can do whatever it takes without fear of consequences.

The economy will implode after the election no matter what happens. With Chimp there another war will be just what the situation calls for.

Were having enough trouble with Iraq.

Syria can put up a fight.

We'll lose what litlte support we've got left.

It wouldn't reflect well for the reelection campaign.

However, if they win and the public gives tacit approval for PNAC's agenda I believe they will invade Syria.

that will answer your question.

However, they clearly are PNAC's, and incidentally, Likud's #2 target after Iraq. The question is if the Bush administration will invade it.

Like John Loftus.

The PNAC is not just a oil-greedy cabal bent on world domination, it is also dedicated to preserving Israel at all costs. There are some gentiles in the mob, but the prime movers and its creator are very pro-Israeli American Jews.

There is a blind eye (and probably a missing tooth or two) turned on the actions of Israel by many very powerful people in this country, and not looking through this prism is to look through rose colored glasses. Even without oil, Syria is a serious threat to Israel, and the grudge will be paid in full. However the attack occurs, it will be a two-front attack, well coordinated between Israeli Defense forces and our own.

Sad as the centuries of hate, marginalization and worse have been against the Jewish people, the unswerving and blinkered allegiance to whatever whim the State of Israel chooses to act upon is not a viable remedy.

I truly believe that we almost popped Syria last year, but the aftermath of the war was too unsettled for even a cocksure bunch like this to risk it.