A couple of years ago Dubya & Co would be preparing to invade Syria now...
But, recent experience has taught them that at times STABILITY IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN DEMOCRACY IN THE MIDDLE EAST... Especially if your "doing democracy on the cheap!"
Indeed, it now appears that Saddam provided more stability for Iraq than Dubya and Rummy have been unable to provide...despite great time, expense and manpower.
Now, Dubya seems less likely to simply be SHARON'S GOLEM in the middle east; or to take his marching orders from the Likudnics in Israel or Washington. Amazingly, Dubya persistantly asks Israel to stop the settlements on the West Bank...and of course, Sharon just builds more!
But there is an odd logic among the Jihadi of the middle east that says in effect "Bring it on!" The entire goal of Osama & Co is more unstability in the region, thus I should guess that Osama was quite happy about the UN report "blaming Syria" for the assassination in Lebanon.
Still, Dubya and Rummy have learned a few lessons about military strategy post-Iraq. Because, as Hitler soon discovered the "blitzkreig" may win the battle, but lose the war eventually.
Bulling your way into a country is one thing, but occupying it successfully is quite another.
Without some organized local support, as happen in Afgahistan with the Northern Alliance of Drug Lords, the occupiers are merely strangers in a strange land. The occupiers simply can not depend on quislings, exlies, paid low lifes and toadies to do the job.
Will Dubya make the mistake of "regime change" in Syria at this dire moment in the middle east...? Can Bush afford to destabilize yet another Sunni Muslim country? Is Lebanon itself "out of the woods," or is it a power keg awaiting a spark? Has Afhganistan been successful at anything, except lowering the price of Heroin for the junkies of Europe? Is Pakistan "safe" after the earthquake..., or is it more vulnerable to Jihadis?
Can "Top Gun" moments in the middle east really change the hearts and minds of Muslims about American and Israeli intentions in the region...? Indeed, are "Top Gun" moments even really "policy?"
Dubya has a full plate and his cup runneth over in the middle east right now...and more instability could be the straw that breaks the camel's back...
...(More mixed metaphors to follow)
