The Foreign Service Journal, October 2005

O C T O B E R 2 0 0 5 / F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L 49 F O C U S O N “ R O G U E ” S T A T E S I NEXTRICABLY L INKED : T HE U.S. AND S YRIA t takes two to tango” is perhaps the best way to explain why U.S.-Syrian relations are at an impasse: each has repeatedly engaged in behavior that alienates the other, yet neither can achieve its objectives without its reluctant partner. Damascus shot itself in the foot when it initially facilitated the infiltration of jihadists into Iraq soon after American troops marched into Baghdad. For its part, Washington has made it near- ly impossible for Syria to provide the cooperation the U.S. needs to stabilize Iraq. Such miscalculations are all the more damaging because, in the long haul, both countries need each other to advance their respective interests — “ I T HE B USH ADMINISTRATION COULD ADVANCE ITS OBJECTIVES , NOT ONLY IN S YRIA BUT THROUGHOUT THE REGION , BY OFFERING CARROTS INSTEAD OF STICKS . B Y M URHAF J OUEJATI PJ Loughran