Domino Theory

Nir Boms, vice president of the Center for Freedom in the Middle East, thinks that Bashar Assad's Ba'athist dictatorship is in its death throes.

"Since the beginning of his tenure in June 2000, Mr. Assad has little to show to his credit. Following the collapse of Iraq, Syria lost not only its remaining Ba'athist ally, but also a significant source of income that came, partly, due to its involvement with the oil-for-food scheme. Mr. Assad's perceived lack of ability to curb international pressures has caused Syria to unilaterally withdraw and lose much of his grip over Lebanon, creating a severe financial and prestige crisis in the ranks of the Syrian army. But that withdrawal, unlike the Israeli withdrawal of Ariel Sharon from Gaza, has brought little international credit to Mr. Assad."

The defeating terrorism requires draining the swamp, and that swamp is fed by tryanny and backwardness. It is drained by freedom and democracy.