August 28th, 2009 by Blake

With an insightful behind-the-scenes perspective on Foreign Policy’s website, Andrew Tabler surveys recent Syrian policies and the country’s strained relationship with the U.S., suggesting that American overtures under the Obama administration have led Damascus to think it can get away with anything.  Iraqi militants have effectively used Syria as a launchpad for violent operations in Iraq, which has caused a diplomatic row between Damascus and Baghdad, and a headache for Washington.  Engaging Syria over politicized issues such as Iraqi-Syrian border security may be the wrong approach, Tabler writes:

“Washington intended the Centcom-led mission as the first step on a long road to reconciliation with Damascus, with the potential for even higher-level engagement by U.S. officials. But last week’s battery of negotiations and bombings [in Iraq, but staged in Syria], as well as the charge of diplomatic distrust it generated, shows just how explosive and uncertain engaging Damascus over Iraqi border security really is.”

Perhaps the U.S. should pursue a strategy of rapprochement with Syria on issues less charged than Iraq, al-Qaeda and Syrian-Israeli relations, recommends Tabler.  Working on mutual policy regarding Lebanon might be a safer starting point, securing a foundation for U.S.-Syrian relations in the future.

Posted in Diplomacy, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, Terrorism, US foreign policy, al-Qaeda |