Would bombing Syria help Israel and keep Iran at bay? Depends upon your point of view. David Brooks of the NY Times says smugly that of course Obama’s proposals to discipline Syria have nothing to do with Syria and everything to do with Iran. Politico says AIPAC to go all-out on Syria, http://www.politico.com/.... I think that most Americans don’t want to hurt Israel but distrust AIPAC and hate lobbyists. I'd like to see teach-ins on Syria that include its unwilling partner, Lebanon.
1. Syria and Lebanon are artificial states created by the French after WWI. The Alawite Shias led by the Assad family seized power from the Sunni majority and have governed brutally. They have reason to fear retribution. Syria with far more people has dominated Lebanese politics and government for nearly 40 years.