Eyes on Syria

With the publication of the Iraqi Study Group report, some focus has shifted from Iran and its nuclear program toward the role of Syria in the Middle East.

Ashar Al-Assad has enjoyed increasing popularity in recent days. He is slowly entering a peace-negotiator shoes, with the Palestinians, Israel, Lebanon and Iraq all on his plate, under the watchful eye of the West and the U.S. in particular. Assad "urged Russia to take a leading role in sponsoring peace talks in the Middle East" yesterday, according to the The Lebanese Daily Star.

Israel remains skeptical regarding Assad's proposal for peace. The Golan Heights dilemma is probably the center of discussion. Lebanon, for its part, does not want the Syrians to interfere with their politics, even though the latest demonstrations, still in Beirut, strengthen Hezbollah and the pro-Syrian opposition to the government there. Meanwhile, the U.S. demands that Syria stop allowing insurgents cross into Iraq through its borders.

Syria's role is going to be crucial in the next few days, as it has indirect control on all 3 civil wars going on in the Middle East: In Gaza, in Lebanon and in Iraq. It should be watched carefully.