Comments on: SYRIA IS EMERGING AS AN IMPORTANT PLAYER IN “THE RACE FOR IRAN” http://www.raceforiran.com/syria-is-emerging-as-an-important-player-in-%e2%80%9cthe-race-for-iran%e2%80%9d Thu, 09 Sep 2010 08:38:11 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Jon Harrison http://www.raceforiran.com/syria-is-emerging-as-an-important-player-in-%e2%80%9cthe-race-for-iran%e2%80%9d#comment-5606 Jon Harrison Thu, 04 Mar 2010 15:02:35 +0000 http://www.raceforiran.com/?p=2177#comment-5606 Very interesting indeed. I assume Assad told Burns the same things he told you. Could we perhaps see ngagement with Iran come about through a Syrian intermediary? Very interesting indeed. I assume Assad told Burns the same things he told you. Could we perhaps see ngagement with Iran come about through a Syrian intermediary?

]]> By: Alan http://www.raceforiran.com/syria-is-emerging-as-an-important-player-in-%e2%80%9cthe-race-for-iran%e2%80%9d#comment-5601 Alan Thu, 04 Mar 2010 11:06:39 +0000 http://www.raceforiran.com/?p=2177#comment-5601 Very interesting. Your access to the main players in the region is an enormous contribution to the quality of information available to us all. I agree that Assad may well prove very important; he certainly seems a more honourable individual than his father was. That particular legacy is why the Palestinians will never entrust their fate to the Syrians. However, I believe the pitch of what is said here is about right - that what Syria offers is access to Hamas and Hizballah, and a forum in which to further international diplomatic contacts with both parties. That is a real asset for Syria today. Along with the alliance with Iran, it is also a foundation for the building of a new Middle East grouping that draws away from the hopelessly compromised Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Jordan. That could prove very useful for the US in the future, if someone is smart enough to spot it. Very interesting. Your access to the main players in the region is an enormous contribution to the quality of information available to us all.

I agree that Assad may well prove very important; he certainly seems a more honourable individual than his father was. That particular legacy is why the Palestinians will never entrust their fate to the Syrians. However, I believe the pitch of what is said here is about right – that what Syria offers is access to Hamas and Hizballah, and a forum in which to further international diplomatic contacts with both parties. That is a real asset for Syria today.

Along with the alliance with Iran, it is also a foundation for the building of a new Middle East grouping that draws away from the hopelessly compromised Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Jordan. That could prove very useful for the US in the future, if someone is smart enough to spot it.

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