Syrian President A Bit Too Protective Of Hezbollah’s Weapons

No one doubts that the Syrian president supports the “resistance” and its weapons. But the fact that he reached out to Hezbollah’s newspaper and told them that no one should dare touch the resistance or its arms (English) smacks of overcompensation in my eyes.

Perhaps those like Michael Young who are arguing that Syria wants to limit Hezbollah’s influence are up to something after all. Here’s an instructive passage from Young’s article today (emphasis mine)

It would be too simplistic to suggest that the Syrians provoked the Hizbullah-Ahbash confrontation in order to bring their army back to Lebanon. Bashar Assad would like to do so, because only a military presence allows him to truly control the country and regain the Lebanese card regionally. However, such a process requires time, careful preparation regionally and internationally, and patience. For now the Syrians are focusing on gaining leverage against Hizbullah, which holds the political and military initiative in the country.

Could Mr. Assad’s embrace be the hug before the stab?