Staying Put

June 2006 | Ratings Update

The Syrian regime is proving its resilience to inernational pressure following the withdrawal from Lebanon in April 2005. This is partly thanks to its ally Iran, whose nuclear ambitions have diverted US eyes away from Damascus. Moreover, gains made by Islamist parties throughout the region as well as deteriorating conditions in Iraq will mean that Western government's will be, for the time being, reluctant to take on Syria, which could prove equally as explosive as Iraq or as stubborn as Iran.

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