Syrian Ba'athism

Veteran Guardian Middle East Correspondent David Hirst examines the position of the Syrian Ba’athists after the murder of the former Lebanese Premier. He says that “For decades now Syria has been losing card after card in a steadily weakening strategic hand. Its domination over Lebanon is one of the last and most vital of them. Ultimately it will perhaps be a bargaining counter in some grand deal to be struck with America that secures the Ba'athist regime's future in the evolving new Middle East order.”