Word: assad
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Dates: during 1980-1989
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...Middle East specialists suggest that the U.S., instead of ordering the New Jersey to fire at the Syrians, should try harder to engage in a dialogue with them. The Reagan Administration is hampered by the fact that it still views Syria as little more than a Soviet puppet, although Assad is at best a prickly partner for Moscow. On the other hand, many experts believe that if Washington persists in spoiling for a battle with Syria, Assad will only gain prestige in the Middle East for standing up to a superpower. If the U.S. respects Syria's interests...
...been skeptical of the entire U.S. peace-keeping strategy in Lebanon, especially Washington's unblinking support for Lebanese President Amin Gemayel and its use of force against Syrian positions. Britain, always a reluctant member of the MNF, now regards an accommodation between President Reagan and Syrian President Hafez Assad as essential to any Lebanese solution. London has concluded that Gemayel must step down and that the May 17 accord between his government and Israel, calling for the mutual withdrawal of Syrian and Israeli forces from Lebanon, is effectively meaningless...
...Gemayel's government abrogate its May 17 agreement with Israel, an accord that was supposed to be the vehicle for getting both Israeli and Syrian troops out of Lebanon. Convinced that U.S. political pressure will force Reagan to withdraw the 1,800-man Marine contingent, Syrian President Hafez Assad has continued to stand firm with his own 62,000 troops in Lebanon...
...moment Assad seems content to leave his large force in Lebanon, certain that the Israelis, the U.S. Marines and the other members of the Multi-National Force will decide to withdraw on their own. But the Syrian President is also mindful of the rise of a moderate Arab bloc whose members include Egypt, Jordan and the branch of the Palestine Liberation Organization that remains loyal to Chairman Yasser Arafat. This group, which is almost certain to gain the support of Saudi Arabia and Iraq, is likely to become far more influential than Syria in dealing with the Palestinian problem. Such...
...emergence of Egypt as a force in the Arab world is the critical factor in Assad's thinking. Two weeks ago the 42-nation Islamic summit meeting in Casablanca invited Egypt to return to the group. Its membership had been suspended in 1979 after Cairo signed a peace treaty with Israel. The government of President Hosni Mubarak is anxious to do so, but only if this will not compromise its support of Camp David and of the pact with Israel. The next step may come in March, when Egypt's moderate friends will try to get Cairo readmitted...