Syria and the axis of evil
Syria is the only Arab state whose territory is still occupied by Israel. But that assertion only holds if we exclude Palestine, which lost its contours owing to the Arab-Israeli conflict, and, consequently, will have to make do with whatever it is offered under the "roadmap". That plan, though, would enhance Israel's geo-political weight, thereby complicating the Syrian negotiating position to secure the return of the Golan Heights.
Alongside struggling to recover its absolute sovereignty over the fertile lands of the Golan, Syria now finds itself virtually surrounded by countries sympathetic to the US. There is Israel, of course, but also Turkey, and even Jordan, not to mention US attempts to bring Iraq under its wing. Syria, consequently, is increasingly finding itself cornered in a web of American- Zionist influence, thereby weakening its position at the negotiating table and in geo-strategic terms.
It's within this context that the reasons for Syria's stand on the Iraq situation are best understood. Iraq, in Syria's eyes, was an important plus in the Middle East power equation, offsetting the weight of Israel.
As Iraq's neighbour, Syria continues to support the Gulf country in resisting absolute subjugation by the US. Losing the battle, or several battles, does not imply the defeat of the Iraqi will as long as popular resistance is capable of confronting the US, and inflicting human and material losses to ensure that even if the US scores a military victory it will suffer a resounding political defeat -- similar to the experiences in Somalia, Lebanon and Vietnam.
Syrian endorsement of Iraq, then, is not merely posturing, but rather necessary to protect its strategic and negotiating position -- even if the US labels Damascus part of an "axis of evil".
This week's Soapbox speaker is Egypt's former ambassador to Damascus.
Al-Ahram Weekly Online : 10 -16 April 2003 (Issue No. 633)
Located at: http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2003/633/op7.htm