Iran and Syria have signed a defense cooperation pact:
"The two countries pledge their mutual support regarding territorial independence and integrity in terms of international and regional authorities," the state-run IRNA news agency reported.
The accord, signed during a visit by Syrian Defence Minister Hassan Turkmani, also called for the withdrawal of "foreign and occupation forces, which are the source of insecurity and instability in the region."
I had long thought that Syria could be flipped. But over time, Syria made it clear that it was throwing its lot in with Iran. What do the terms and timing of this pact signify? Renewed attacks in Iraq, Israel, and Lebanon by the Iran-Syria-Hezbollah-Hamas alliance? Is it to be a general offensive to try to reverse our momentum in Iraq by widening the enemy offensive to the entire region? Was Syria worried about being left hanging by Iran after a Hamas-Hizbollah attack on Israel?
So the Axis of Evil is at full strength again. One Baathist thug regime replaced the defeated Baathist thug regime. The Assad regime must not be allowed to survive this choice and whatever the mullahs and their Damascus lap dogs have decided to do this summer to reverse their losses. The mullah regime, too, must not be allowed to call a "do over" if we blunt their offensive. If they start something, we have to finish it in Tehran.
Brace yourselves. This may be a hot summer.
