The Damascene dilemma

Strike Damascus, bomb Tehran,” say the hawks in Washington. “No,” argue others. “Open negotiations with Damascus, bring Syria out of the cold, into the fold, and help distance Damascus from its ‘really evil’ ally, Iran.” To strike, or not to strike? That is the question, if one may paraphrase the Bard and adapt his poetry to fit 21st century geopolitics. But what the heck is the answer? There seems nary a viable reply that may please the court, or in this case, the White House, let alone a divided American electorate in what will be a crucial election year. There was persistent talk throughout the summer of US strikes on Syria and Iran. In fact, it’s been more than just talk. According to some people very much in the know, the question of “what to do with Iran and Syria” has, as of a few months ago entered the stage