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Source: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,482-646827,00.html
Syria's Leadership will Keep the Dogs of War at Bay
(London Times) Amir Taheri - Syria, in tandem with the mullahs of Tehran, supports a variety of terrorist groups that have targeted American interests (for example they murdered more than 300 Americans, including 241 Marines, in Beirut in 1982-83) and Israel. Today, 22 terrorist groups have offices in Damascus. But while the chief weakness of Saddam’s regime was its suicidal inflexibility, the Syrian regime has always understood the reality of power and the need to back down when in a position of weakness. Using diplomatic, political, and economic pressure while keeping the military option open, the U.S.-led coalition should ask for the maximum, including support for the growing reform movement in Syria itself. Finally, Syria must end its occupation of Lebanon, and the Mafia-style milking of that country that has enriched Baathist big shots.