Al Ha'aretz (Israel)-- Is Syrian President suicidal ?

[TexasLawyer]

Looks like everyone in Israel and Washington have decided that Syria's behind the Tel Aviv bombing. One thought, though- if it is "suicidal" for Assad to perpetrate these extremely high-profile assassinations and bombings-- and to carry out these crimes right at the time that Bush is absolutely itching for an expanded Middle East war-- then might this be an argument for why Syria wouldn't do it?


Sun., February 27, 2005 Adar1 18, 5765 Israel Time: 01:32 (GMT+2)

Analysis / Assad is in hot water with the Americans

By Amos Harel

Friday's suicide bombing in Tel Aviv begs a question: Is Syrian President Bashar Assad suicidal? If Israel's accusations that the Damascus-based Islamic Jihad is behind the bombing are true, they raise grave doubts as to Assad's judgment. Less than two weeks after the assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri, with evidence of Syrian involvement piling up, Damascus is getting into more trouble.

Given the French initiative to kick the Syrian troops out of Lebanon and American anger at the ongoing infiltration of terrorists through the Syrian border to Iraq, it is hard to understand how decisions are made in the Syrian leadership. At times, Assad seems insistent on setting himself in the American sights. Even if he did not know in advance of Jihad's plans, he has been ignoring the organization's activity. If he did not approve of the attack, it means there are guests in Damascus getting Syria into trouble with the U.S.

No wonder Israel prefers not to retaliate harshly. The main effort will be diplomatic. In addition to sending envoys, senior officials will call the ambassadors of the Security Council members in Israel in an effort to issue a denunciation of Damascus for the attack. Israel told Abu Mazen that it will act against Jihad regardless of the hudna. Israel will also freeze the plan to transfer West Bank cities to the Palestinians.

<snip>

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/545203.html

[madrchsod]

1. assad- the whipping boy of the middle east

no one else to blame? blame assad.

[hector459]

2. I agree. Arafat is dead. Who else to blame?

The entire ME situation is tragic. I feel sorry for the average Israeli citizen. They must be a helpless as we are to rid themselves of a fascist-like regime. The only difference in us and them is their lives are in much more peril.

[sjgman9]

4. Assad is a moron

Lets not jump to conclusions about the Tel-Aviv blast just yet. It could be some home-grown palestinian terrorist trying to humiliate Abbas. Abbas deserves every chance to succeed. I want him to be a law-and-order man for his people. They deserve honest and powerful leadership. I dont think they want Israel to keep kicking their asses after a suicide attack.

The Hariri assasination looks like Syria did it. Hell, FRANCE, yes FRANCE is very very very angry at Syria and blames them for Hariri's murder (Chirac was a close personal friend or Rafik Hariri and I think there was a scandal in France of Hariri giving Chirac way too much money. )
France used to be the colonial power in Lebanon and Syria. France and the US sponsored the anti-Syria legislation at the UN. France is the islamic world's best friend. If France is angry at an islamic country, its not good.

Honestly, look more at Bashar Assad's history. I dont think he has control of his own government. He wasnt even supposed to be president anyway.

[applegrove]

3. didn't someone take ownership of it?