Syrian Fear

Syria is taking the U.S. threat of invasion for real. In a good-faith response to pressure from the U.S. and Europe to get Syria out of Lebanese politics, the Syrians withdrew their forces from the population centers of coastal Lebanon.

This story is still developing, but the mere fact that there is a story testifies to the inordinate power of the United States in the Middle East. Syria is now completely surrounded by staunch U.S. allies; what will befall it either suddenly or gradually is anyone's guess.