Can Syrian-US ties stop plummeting and rise again?

The US Embassy in Syria was hit by terrorists on September 12, or the second day of the fifth anniversary of 9/11 attacks of 2001. At least one Syrian security guard was killed and 11 others injured by unidentified gunmen trying to blow up the US Embassy in Damascus, no Americans hurt. US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice publicly thanked Syria for its response during the attack, whereas White House Press Secretary Tony Snow said the attack illustrates the importance of Syria playing "a constructive role" in fighting terrorists.

The proactive attitude adopted by Syria showed during the attack and the positive appraisal given by the United States thereafter have provided people with a space of imagination for Syrian-US ties to move out of an impasse.

Syria and the United States were at in contest repeatedly in the cold war era owing to the latter's support to Israel. After 9/11 incident of 2001, Syria provided the U.S. with some information about terrorist organizations. But due to their differences on the Iraq issue, antagonism on Syrian-US ties has become more aggravated.

The United States recalled its ambassador to Syria in February 2002 for suspicions of its involvement in the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Al Hariri: Syria became dissatisfied with the U.S. as the latter reproached its indulgent attitude it took for "jihad insurgents" to cross Syrian-Iran border to enter into Iraq. In May 2005, Syria suspended its military and information cooperation with the U.S. in a comprehensive way.

In the United States, some analysts hold that the Bush Administration's policy of antagonizing and isolating the Syrian government is detrimental to the US war on terror, so the administration should adjust its policy toward the Syrian government. In fact, the United States has realistic reasons to improve its relations with Iraq, either out of the needs for the war on terror, or in view of Syria's influence unnegligible influence in the Arab world.

First and foremost, religious extremist forces are the common foe of both Syria and the U.S., and Syria itself is the victim of terrorism. Back in the early 1980s, extremist organizations represented by the Muslim Brotherhood attempted to assassinate late President Bashar al-Assad and launched rebellions in the northern Hama province. Syria, however, is not a "friend" of extremist organizations but a "target" of revolution.

Secondly, the United States holds that the greatest threat it is facing in the Middle East today is Iran, which is nearing "to have access to nuclear weapons". At present, Syria and Iran form an alliance to jointly respond to the U.S. threats. If the U.S. wins the support of Syria, the impact of Iran can be weakened in the Middle East and stability in Iraq's western border can be reinforced.

Thirdly, from a long-term point of view, Russia, the successor of the former Soviet Union, has a traditional influence in the Middle East, and it is now working hard to return to this arena. Its return-to-the Middle East intention has been revealed. It the U.S. perseveres in isolating Syria, it can possibly turn to Russia in an all-round way.

Finally, without the involvement of Syria, peace in Middle East cannot be accomplished. David Ben-Gurion, the founder of the Israeli State once said: There would be no war without the participation of Egypt and, without the involvement of Syria, there would be no peace either. It is the United States' Middle East interest to normalize its relations with Syria, which also has a desire to reopen peace talks with the U.S.

Reviewing the overall Syrian-US ties, they began deteriorating drastically with the start of the Iraq War and plummeted to the bottom line with the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Al Hariri. Whether or not the very recent assault on the American embassy in Syria can be a turning point to halt the plummeting the Syrian-US ties before the bilateral relations begin to rise -- this question deserves our observation and mulling over.

By People's Daily Online