Ava, Mo.

"Syria is likely the biggest beneficiary of these political killings."

When it comes to talk of who assassinated Hariri, a lot of fingers point to Syria. But this makes no sense. Syria stood to gain nothing from Hariri's murder, but a lot to lose.

Thanks to a skillful media campaign after Hariri's death, not only were Syrian troops evicted from southern Lebanon, the world turned against Syria before any evidence was produced.

Syrian knows it's in the gun sights of both Israel and the United States. And that any type of terrorist action against perceived US interests would bring GW's "Shock and Awe Democracy Tour" to Damascus. So, what would Syria stand to gain from assassinating Hariri? Nothing, except grief.

But Hariri's assassination did come in time for Israel's long-planned invasion of southern Lebanon last summer. Made much easier by the absence of Syrian troops. And the Iraq oil pipeline that is going to supply Iraqi oil to Israel's port of Haifa would need an obliging regime in Syria, to help protect the pipeline from sabotage.

So, explain to me please why on earth would Syria assassinate Hariri? They had much to lose and nothing to gain.

Greg Bacon
07/11/2007 @ 12:33pm