Wednesday September 29, 2010

I've Been Thinking:

I have mentioned before that I watch the travel schedules of Middle East leaders.
Who meets with whom is a very useful instrument in understanding what is happening in the region.

For instance: Ahmadinejad stopped in Damascus, Syria on his way to New York last week. He had an important sit down with Syrian President Assad. And now President Assad is scheduled to visit Iran in October. The press announcement from the Iranian embassy in Syria said that the leaders will be "discussing how bi-lateral relations can be strengthened."

There's more: Ahmadinejad is scheduled to visit Lebanon on October 13. The trip is supposed to last for 2 or 3 days. The leader of Iran will spend significant time in Southern Lebanon with the Shiite populations there. According to reports there are three Iranian advance security teams in Lebanon already. They are there coordinating with Hezbollah security. Exact details of the trip are not clear, but symbolically, Ahmadinejad will be throwing a stone at Israel while in Southern Lebanon.

Interestingly: Syrian Foreign Minister Moualem met with US Secretary of State Clinton in NY during the GA. That was the highest level US/Syrian dialogue in a very long time.

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