The Last Ephor

As I noted elsewhere Assad is terrified of an investigation into Hariri's assassination and Baker represents the lifeline he needs to save him. Proving that I am, in fact, always right, the Jerusalem Post has an article making those very points: Close Syria-US ties won't affect Golan "Of course it comes at a price, and I'm not sure the Americans are willing to pay the price," one Israeli official said. He said that the price was not the Golan, but rather to get the international tribunal investigating the assassination of former Lebanese prime Minister Rafiq Hariri called off , and to allow Syrian influence and involvement - although maybe not troops - in Lebanon. "The Syrians are terrified by the prospect of the tribunal, " the official said, "and they want it called off. That is their top priority, and as a by-product they want to keep a hold on Lebanon." The Golan was "in no way" the top agenda item for Assad, he said, who was co...

Blogging will be light as I'm absolutely swamped with work (new software rollout) and home (new baby rollout soon). I don't know when/if this will abate but just know I'm not throwing in the towel. Happy Thanksgiving!

You know you're in trouble when your wife begins a conversation with, "I think I have deficiencies..." I just looked at her, deadpan. I cannot believe she would lob me such a softball. I quickly dawns on her that she's done so and she starts to laugh. "C'mon, say it! Say what you want to say." Me: "I hardly know where to begin. You gave me such an opening I'm on witty retort overload. Prithee continue." Wife: "I meant nutritionally." I'm amazed I was able to contain myself.

"Saudi Arabia is threatening to suspend diplomatic ties with Britain unless Downing Street intervenes to block an investigation into a £60m “slush fund” allegedly set up for some members of its royal family. A senior Saudi diplomat in London has delivered an ultimatum to Tony Blair that unless the inquiry into an allegedly corrupt defence deal is dropped, diplomatic links between Britain and Saudi Arabia will be severed, a defence source has disclosed. Wonderful. I've never liked our relationship with the Saudis. They are our friends for one reason and one alone and that drives me bonkers. They are corrupt as the day is long. They're hypocrites of the first order and the people in Saudi know it. There isn't any reason to believe that they have been particularly helpful regarding the GWOT. Bringing Baker on board isn't going to do anything other than draw us closer to the House of Saud. I'm sure the Brits will back down, quietly, as is British fashion. T...