Thursday, March 5, 2009
This is just a quick link to follow -- an "aside." These are links to interesting things that, for one reason or another, I didn't place into a full posting. Click the link to visit the full article. Go to the blog index for a regular listing of posts.
Michael B. Oren: All Roads Lead to Damascus - '...Such obstacles should not, however, deter the Obama administration from negotiating with Damascus and seeking to achieve a workable partnership. If for no other reason than to exhaust all possible diplomatic options, the U.S. should try its utmost to avoid confrontation and promote dialogue. Every effort should be made to pry Syria from Iran's grasp. At the same time, however, the U.S. should be cognizant that these overtures carry risks. The Syrians should be offered carrots -- economic aid, the lifting of sanctions, even-handed mediation for peace -- but also shown the sticks. The same hand that America extends in friendship should be ready to recoil, parry a blow or return one.'
