An Ambassador to Syria and a Message to Iran

The National, Editorial
June 30, 2009
"By offering stronger ties, and in returning an ambassador to Damascus, Washington is showing Syria—and Iran—that there is another way to go."

For the first time since the Bush administration recalled the U.S. ambassador from Damascus in 2005 … the United States will have a fully staffed embassy in Damascus. … To a certain extent, the decision is a leap of faith. Syria remains an important patron of both Hezbollah and Hamas, which have been dangerous sources of instability in the region. …

With more direct diplomatic channels to the United States, Syria can have a greater say in the Middle East process, to which the Obama administration has demonstrated an intense commitment. The United States wants to show that the benefits of partnership in this process are far greater than the benefits Syria would accrue in acting as a spoiler, or allowing others to do so. And while the American economy may be struggling, nations shun access to U.S. markets, aid and investment at their own people’s expense. Access the full article>>



Subscribe to Middle East Progress Alerts

Support Middle East Progress

In-Depth Coverage

Original Commentaries

Setting the Record Straight

Determined to Reach a Common Objective

“We knew at the outset that the task would be difficult. We acknowledged that publicly and privately. We knew this would be a road with many bumps— and there have been many bumps—and that continues to this day. But we are not deterred. We are, to the contrary, determined more than ever to proceed to realize the common objective, which we all share, of a Middle East that is at peace with security and prosperity for the people of Israel, for Palestinians, and for all the people in the region. We will continue our efforts in that regard, undeterred and undaunted by the difficulties, the complexities or the bumps in the road.”—George Mitchell, special envoy for Middle East peace, remarks with Prime Minister Netanyahu, September 29, 2010

Middle East Analysis

Upcoming Events

The U.S. Agency for International Development and Conflict: Hard Lessons from the Field

May 17, 2011, 12:00pm – 1:15pm

From Afghanistan and Iraq to Pakistan, Somalia, and South Sudan, the U.S. Agency for International Development, or USAID, is engaged daily in trying to help some of the most troubled nations on the planet make a lasting transition to stability, open markets, and democracy. Few areas of the agency’s work are more challenging or more controversial.

Join us for remarks by, and a roundtable with, the deputy administrator of USAID, Ambassador

more