Gary Fitleberg, December 21, 2004

President Bush said Monday that the United States might impose additional sanctions on Syria for aiding terrorist attacks on American soldiers in Iraq, Reuters reported.

Syria is one of the top state supporters of terrorism. Syria "occupies" Lebanon with soldiers and Hezbollah terrorists and has a porous border and supports anti-American insurgents in Iraq.

The U.S. has already imposed a range of economic sanctions on Syria under the Syria Accountability Act, which was overwhelmingly passed by a bi-partisan Congress in both the House of Representatives and the Senate and signed into legislation by President George W. Bush who has sworn to be tough on terrorism after 9/11.

All of the sanctions authorized have not yet been imposed as of yet but America can get tougher on Syria should it not stop the flow of terrorism across its 400 mile border with Iraq.

Although Iran, Iraq and North Korea are the nations listed as the "axis of evil" nations, serious consideration should be given to adding Syria as an additional spoke in the terrorist wheel.

Gary Fitleberg is a Political Analyst specializing in International Relations with emphasis on Middle East affairs.

Copyright © 2004 Gary Fitleberg