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Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/25/AR2010022505089.html
Iran, Syria Ridicule U.S. Policy; Ahmadinejad Speaks of Israel's "Annihilation"
(Washington Post) Howard Schneider - Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad ridiculed U.S. policy in a joint news conference on Thursday and spoke to a shared sense that Iran is gaining influence in the region despite U.S. efforts. Until the outcome of the broader struggle over Iran's nuclear program becomes clear, analysts say, it is unlikely Syria will change direction. Ahmadinejad spoke of Israel's eventual "demise and annihilation" and said the countries of the region could create a future "without Zionists and without colonialists." Assad criticized what he regarded as the United States' "new situation of colonialism" in the region, with troops on the ground in Iraq and Afghanistan, and pressure on Syria to split from Iran, a friendship Assad emphasized was secure. "If Iran is seen as being on the ascent, that strengthens all those people that oppose peace in the Middle East," said Mark Regev, spokesman for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. "Those who are on the fence will come off the fence on the wrong side."