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Source: http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0613/p04s01-wome.html
Syria's Improved Standing Poses Challenge to U.S. Policy of Isolation
[ Christian Science Monitor] Julien Barnes-Dacey - With the recent Doha agreement, which settled - for now - Lebanon's longstanding internal bickering, Syria's regional and international standing is seemingly on the mend. "There is certainly a relaxation of the strength of the criticism directed at Syria," says Rime Allaf of Chatham House, a London think tank. "The Syrians are stronger today than they were just a few months ago." The May settlement essentially met Syria's longstanding desire to prevent the emergence of a pro-U.S. government. The new Lebanese president is relatively pro-Syrian and the Syria-backed opposition has a cabinet veto. France has reestablished diplomatic ties cut last year. Syria's minister of culture was welcomed Tuesday in Paris, and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has been invited to attend a French-backed Mediterranean summit in Paris next month.