Iran seeks closer bonds with Syria against 'foes'

A day after devirginizing my blog with the opening post below, Michael Young writes this article in the Daily Star on the same subject. Michael’s analysis is certainly thought provoking but he fails to provide alternative solutions to Syria “foolhardiness” in allying with Iran at this delicate period.

It also makes one wonder if Michael sells-out his friends that quickly in real life? Does he chuck them out the window once they are no longer a significant “asset”? Even though I agree with him that Iran is the stronger partner of this relationship, Tehran is still as isolated and needs any ally it can get its hands on. Not to forget Syria’s stance against Saddam will not be easily forgotten by the “moralists” in Tehran.

I understand this is politics but Syria doesn’t seem to have any other option. Damascus tried bending backwards for Washington but the latter does not want to take notice or play fair. So Syria, and rightly so, has given up (temporarily) on playing nice.

Reiterating the American view that Syria needs to do more on the Iraqi border was the lowest point in this article. It was a cheap shot by all means because Young’s cannot be that stupid, and it doesn’t take a genius to know that the border issue is being leveraged by the American’s to continue pressuring Syria rather than it being the motivation for the pressure. Nevertheless the article worth a read.


Original Post:

The alliance between Syria and Iran has always been based on common interests rather than ideology. Syria’s government is secular while Iran continues to be run by conservative Islamic Shi’a clerics. But their common loathe for Saddam Hussein and American bias towards Israel, to their support for Hezbollah and weapon development cooperation. Both countries have relied on each other to avoid marginalization by the powers to be. But 2005 has held and will continue to hold enormous tests to this awkward friendship.

Iran continues to be drilled by the Euro-American “good cop/bad cop” campaign to deter it from developing its nuclear program. Syria on the other hand, and to put it mildly, is stuck between a rock and a hard place. Damascus has been under immense pressure from multiple directions and on different issues; controlling the Iraqi border, its presence in Lebanon, supporting Hezbollah and various Palestinian groups, the continuing conflict with Israel and last but not least being blamed for the assassinations in Lebanon.

Under these circumstances it is not surprising that both countries would search for strategic and possible military allies. Syria’s army is no match when compared to its Israeli counter part or the American military super-machine. Bringing Iran’s significant military force into play would probably make any country including the US think twice. But for Syria to align its self with a member of the “Axis of Evil” and “the world’s primary state sponsor of terror” is a double-edged sword. It can risk alienating itself further and damage its international public image.

But are there are any real alternatives out there? If Syria’s so called Arab “brothers” are either standing passively idle or actually participating in the pressure against Damascus. I guess its like that old saying goes “A friend in need is a friend indeed”