September 19, 2007 :: Analysis
The New York Sun published an opinion piece by Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen of Florida on Syria on September 19. Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen argues that only tougher economic sanctions, particularly ones targeting Syria's energy industry, are the only way to change its destructive behavior in the region. Syria is "a stalwart supporter for terrorist organizations and activities throughout the region," allowing foreign jihadists to enter Iraq and serving as a base of operations for Hezbollah and Hamas. Additionally, "Syria has developed ballistic missiles and has reportedly even conducted research and development on biological weapons. Syria has one of the largest ballistic missile inventories in the Middle East, comprised of several hundred short-range ballistic missiles and cruise missiles." Syria's pursuit of more destructive weaponry aligned it with Iran, with whom it declared in a mutual self-defense pact in 2005.
Accordingly, Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen has introduced the Syria Accountability and Liberation Act, which would:
[R]equire the immediate imposition of all possible American sanctions and that they remain in place until Syria ceases its support for terrorism, unconventional weapons development, and other destructive policies. It mandates a number of additional sanctions to curtail Syria's proliferation efforts and imposes new sanctions on entities that invest or conduct business in Syria's energy sector.
The Congresswoman concludes that, "Without foreign capital and development, Syria will be deprived of the energy profits it desperately needs to buy weapons and sponsor terrorist activities," and therefore make the U.S. and its allies safer. (Article)
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