Attack in Damascus

The attack on the US embassy in Damascus brought back old memories. Ten years ago I stood there inline to submit my documents to get a visa to come to the US. I know every corner of that block. But yesterday's attack made me realize, that even my memories are not safe from the attacks of extremist. It also reinforces in my mind the need to partner with Syria in the fight against extremism and the push for peace in the Middle East.

I would like to introduce a cenario, a sort of a political future fiction, politofuturofiction! After the attack on the US embassy, someone in the US administration would say: "eureka! Syria is also a victim of extremism, it had been and remains mostly secular, the public is moderate, and the government has a long experience in dealing with and fighting extremism. We -the US- should have Syria on our side." This staffer, and let us call him Joe, does some research and discovers that Syria's strongest grievance is the Golan heights. Joe is also concerned about the growing giant called China. Joes discovered that the Arab World with its human, economic, and geopolitical resources is the only possible partner that can help the US stand still against China, Europe is get very old and Russia might partner with China! Joe feels an urgency because he read a report that in 2030 China might become richer than the US. Joe concluded after lots of reading that it is crucial to resolve the remaining issues of the Middle East conflict to focus on China. Joe develops a plan to bring Syia inline with the US. It goes like this: convince Israel to give the heights back, Assad makes a Sadat-like visit to Tel Aviv, Syria and Israel sign a peace agreement that include enough water for Israel, Israel withdraws from the heights, Syria through its links with Hezbollah and Hamas forces disarmament, in return Israel withdraws from the West Bank and Gaza, the Lebanese battle out their differences and reach a stable form of government after significant concessions. Then, Syria turns around helps the US solving the Iraq problem. Joe concluded that Syria is the only Arab country that can occupy the vacuum in Iraq once the US forces leave because of its location, size of its military, and because it can deal with Iran more than any other Arab country. Syria's presence in Iraq will satisfy the other Arab allies, Saudi Arabia and Egypt and will calm their concerns about the increasing strength of Iran and its reach into Iraq. A strong Syrian-Egyptian-Saudi alliance in Iraq will stand against Iran and force its cooperation. Joe present his findings to his superiors, they like it, implement it, it becomes a reality. Joe gets the Nobel prize for peace and retires in Damascus!

Joe, where are you...