BULLETIN No.179

Washington Institute Can Syria Come in from the Cold? Will the upcoming Baghdad conference and Arab Summit give Syria a chance to improve its regional standing, or will its isolation continue? Seth Wikas assesses the regime's continuing struggles to balance competing political interests.
A New Middle East: The Israel-Syria-Lebanon Triangle Uri Lubrani, Eyal Zisser, Moshe Arens
Al Hayat The Non-Peaceful State between Syria and Lebanon Hassan Haydar - Despite its withdrawal from Lebanon, Syria still has a hand in Lebanon’s affairs and policy. It is also in a state of declared war with a large segment of the Lebanese.
Is US Supporting Brotherhood Activities in Syria?
Ex-U.S. secretary of state Baker calls for broad talks with Syria
SyriaComment Counting Lebanon’s Shiites as Slaves: Why the Lebanon Deal is Obstructed
EU plans to restart high-level contacts with Syria Solana to visit Damascus for talks on Lebanon, Mideast peace; EU reaffirms PA gov't must meet int'l demands
Solana to restore EU ties with Syria
Eldar Quiet, they're talking with Syria
US Will Use Baghdad Meet to Confront Iran, Syria Over Unrest: Official
Iraq Security Meeting Poses Risks for US Beyond Contact With Iran and Syria
U.S. Open to Talking About Iraq With Iran and Syria
Syria's envoy at secret talks to speak before Knesset committee
Syria Deploying Rockets on Border, Say Israeli Sources

Lebanon's price in Washington rises
By David Schenker
Foreign handling of crisis leaves little cause for faith in Lebanese leaders
Olmert 'planned Lebanon war before soldiers' kidnap'

Debka DEBKAfile Exclusive: Bowing to Washington, Olmert agrees to go directly and unconditionally to final-status talks with Palestinians
Olmert backs regional summit to discuss Saudi peace initiative Olmert: Israel is ready to take proposal 'seriously'; Abbas reiterates that Arab League won't alter initiative
Finger on the pulse At a time when the shift in U.S. policy is clearly visible, when new alliances rise and fall daily to accommodate new realities, when yesterday's enemy may be tomorrow's partner in dialogue, the primary goal of removing the Iranian nuclear threat must not be compromised. But, at the same time, we must reexamine Israel's interests daily rather than becoming entrenched in intransigence.
Eldar On the road from Mecca to Riyadh
Olmert backs regional summit to discuss Saudi peace initiative Olmert: Israel is ready to take proposal 'seriously'; Abbas reiterates that Arab League won't alter initiative
UN panel to Israel: Allow Palestinians to return to their land
Abbas tells Olmert: Gilad Shalit may be freed soon
Al-Qaida's no. 2 slams Hamas for agreeing to unity government Al-Zawahri: 'Hamas' leadership has finally caught Sadat's train of humiliation and surrender.'
Top Israeli Military Official Denies Olmert Ordered Them to Prepare for War
We need a strategy
PM: Concede right of return Olmert, Abbas agree that Saudi initiative could serve as basis for talks, but continue to disagree on right of return, Jerusalem and settlements. Palestinian source says leaders' meeting was difficult, but adds Abbas is optimistic
Olmert rethinks Saudi initiative (Josef Federman)
UN panel to Israel: Allow Palestinians to return to their land
Gideon Levy: Surprise - Most Israelis back a one-state solution

Christian Science Monitor Why 'soft partition' of Iraq won't work Most Iraqis wish their country to remain unified. By Joost Hiltermann
Washington Post The 'Surge' Is Succeeding By Robert Kagan
Christian Science Monitor Why 'soft partition' of Iraq won't work Most Iraqis wish their country to remain unified. By Joost Hiltermann
Iraq's neighbors take first cooperative steps
The conference promoted the legitimacy of Iraq's government and got Iran and US talking.
The End of Al Qaeda in Iraq
Iraq's neighbors take first cooperative steps The conference promoted the legitimacy of Iraq's government and got Iran and US talking.
New York Times Iraq’s Leader Asks for Aid in Curbing Strife Envoys for the U.S. and Iran avoided direct talks

Ha’aretz U.S. in talks with Israel, Saudi Arabia
The Peace Process / Only Saudi Arabia can do it
COMMENT AND ANALYSIS: Saudis head a rich field
Israel warms to Saudi Arabia peace initiative