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U.S. Hopes Economic Pressure Will Alter Syrian Behavior
(Ha'aretz) Aluf Benn - The U.S. has closed the oil pipeline from Iraq to Syria and also blocked the cross-border trade routes between the two countries. Washington estimates that trade with Iraq accounted for some 40% of Syria's gross domestic product, and believes it will be difficult for Damascus to survive the loss of these revenues for long. The administration is considering supporting the Syria Accountability Act in Congress, that would impose diplomatic and economic sanctions on Syria until it shuts down the offices and training camps of terrorist organizations in Syria and Lebanon, removes Hizballah forces from south Lebanon and allows the Lebanese army to deploy in their stead, withdraws its own forces from Lebanon, stops developing and producing surface-to-surface missiles and chemical and biological weapons, and embarks on a peace process with Israel.