Syria

SENATE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE STATEMENT OF GENERAL DAVID H. PETRAEUS, U.S. ARMY, COMMANDER U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND BEFORE THE SENATE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE ON THE AFGHANISTAN-PAKISTAN STRATEGIC REVIEW AND THE POSTURE OF U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND
01 APR 2009

The al-Asad regime in Syria continues to play the dangerous game of allowing or
accepting extremist networks and terrorist facilitators to operate from and through Syrian
territory, believing incorrectly that their people and government will be immune from the
threat. Whether hosting Hamas leadership, supporting the shipment of armaments to
Hizballah, or cooperating with AQI operatives, the al-Asad regime has used its support
for its neighbors’ opposition movements as strategic leverage. However, unlike Iran,
Syria’s motives probably stem from short-sighted calculations rather than ideology. It is
possible that over time Syria could emerge as a partner in promoting security in the
Levant and in the region.