(Scripps Howard) Clifford D. May - Under the oppressive rule of Bashar al-Assad, Syria has been the primary agent of Iran's ruling jihadis within the Arab world. It has been the patron of Hizbullah, the militia that has been carrying out a slow-motion coup in Lebanon. And it has been a welcoming host to Hamas and other terrorist groups whose most immediate target is Israel. If Assad falls, the Arab Spring becomes a much sunnier season. Hizbullah and Hamas would be weakened. Lebanon would have another chance. Israel would feel a little safer. Assad's ouster would be consequential. So, too, would be Assad's survival. The writer is president of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.
2011-07-22 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive