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Will U.S. Get Syria to Give Up Its Bad Behavior?

[Foreign Policy] Mara E. Karlin - This week, a U.S. military delegation is in Damascus, Syria, to discuss how the two countries can collaborate to stabilize Iraq. Having served in the Pentagon for four years, including as the Levant director responsible for U.S. policy on Syria, among other countries, I wish them luck. Getting Syria to change its bad behavior in Iraq and Lebanon, to cease its partnership with terrorists and terror-sponsoring states, and to come clean about its nuclear program will not be easy. Though the Syrians can gloat over a few visitors and some announcements, the administration has actually given the Syrians very little. U.S. diplomats have been quick to emphasize that Syria will need to take important steps to change its behavior if it hopes for a sustained relationship. Contrary to the bright-eyed wishes of some former U.S. officials, new relations with Syria will not markedly alter the region, as former U.S. Ambassador to Syria Edward P. Djerejian recently argued in the Wall Street Journal. The writer served in a variety of positions in the U.S. Defense Department, including special assistant to the undersecretary of defense for policy.
2009-08-14 06:00:00
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