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Source: http://nationalreview.com/comment/boms_mannes200503010745.asp
Out of Lebanon
(National Review) Nir Boms and Aaron Mannes - Controlling Lebanon is integral to the Syrian regime's survival. The Syrian economy stays afloat by plundering Lebanon and controlling the Beqaa Valley drug trade. Furthermore, Syria's Baathists derive their legitimacy from the concept of "Greater Syria," which includes Lebanon, Jordan, Israel, and part of Turkey. Relinquishing control of Lebanon would deprive the shaky Syrian regime of its raison d'etre, as well as its preferred venue for attacking Israel. Wresting Lebanon from Syria would change Middle Eastern geopolitics and advance democracy, but it will not be easy.