American Attack Sparks New Controversy With Syria

Last month, American military forces encountered stiff political opposition after cross-border raids in Pakistan killed several civilians. Reports today indicate that the US has bowed to furious complaints from Islamabad, backing away from ground raids by American commandoes. As the US military eases out of one crisis, however, another cross-border sortie has sparked controversial reports across the news wires.

Syria's Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem accused the US of "terrorist aggression" after a deadly raid killed eight civilians at the al-Sukkariah Farm. Details of the attack are still unclear, but an unnamed US official told the Agence France-Presse (AFP) that the raid on foreign fighters had been "successful." Syrian reports claim that four helicopters brought American soldiers across the border from Iraq, who then stormed a civilian building on Sunday afternoon.

The attack outraged officials in Damascus, who condemned the aggression and called for an immediate inquiry by the Iraqi government. The Cairo-based Arab League (a 22-member regional coöperative of North African and the Middle Eastern states) declared the raid a "violation which does nothing to help stability in the region and can only lead to new tensions."

Last week, Marine Major General John Kelly stated that al Qaeda operatives "live pretty openly" in Syria, and that the Syrian-Iraqi border represents an "uncontrolled" gateway for foreign fighters to enter western Iraq. Al-Sukkariah, which is just five miles from the border, lies next to the Iraqi town of al-Qaim, an al Qaeda stronghold. US commanders are concerned that the area is a vital corridor for foreign fighters entering Iraq. On October 16, Iraqi forces arrested seven Syrian militants in Baqubah (30 miles northeast of Baghdad) who were reportedly working with al Qaeda.

These details all suggest a rather troubling picture, in which Iraqi insurgents have a viable supply chain through Syria. Nevertheless, the timing of this American attack is curious. Violence in Iraq has abated in recent months. Sunni insurgents, who once aimed at US troops, are now fighting against jihadists from al Qaeda (a nominally Sunni organization). Moreover, the raid comes at the very end of the Bush administration's term in office, at a time when European allies are attempting to increase their ties with Damascus.

One would hope American foreign policy were above parting shots, but this administration has continually seen Syria as an irritant in the region. In addition to disagreements over foreign fighters in Iraq, Washington resents the cozy relationship Damascus has with Iran, its recent arms deal with Russia, its incessant meddling in Lebanon, and its suspected nuclear program. Back in September 2007, Israeli Air Force fixed-wing fighter jets bombed a nuclear facility in Dayr al-Zur, in the northeastern part of Syria, with tacit consent from the US.

Perhaps surprisingly, that attack led to the start of Turkish-mediated peace talks between Israel and Syria. These negotiations are still ongoing, but current events threaten any foreseeable conclusion. On the one hand, the political crisis in Jerusalem threatens to derail any progress. The new Kadima party leader, Tzipi Livni (who had been a central figure in the peace deal), failed to secure a new governing coalition and called for new elections at the start of next year. The upcoming vote would likely see the more hawkish Benjamin Netanyahu, who has opposed the peace negotiations, become prime minister.

At the same time, the American attack erodes the sort of diplomatic credibility that the US (and thus Israel) has in any peace negotiations. Washington is openly ambivalent about a potential deal between Jerusalem and Damascus, but the raid may be interpreted a final indictment of the Syrians. Such behavior seems irresponsible. As with Iran, the US needs Damascus to bring stability to the Middle East.

Once again, it will be left to the next president to pick up the pieces and start again. In this region of the world, unfortunately, it is a familiar task.