Why invite Syria and not Iran?

[spanone]

Syria is a sponsor of terrorists (or so we're told)

maybe this meeting was more about Iran than we'll ever know.

how do you make peace without including the 'enemy'?

[Flabbergasted]

1. Everyone at that table is a terrorist sponsor. It's how business is done in the ME now. nt

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

2. Because in a few years Iran will have nukes.

And there's not anything anybody can do about it.

And when it happens, there will be much wailing and gnashing of teeth, and conservatives will look back and say "See? Bush was tough on Iran. It's all the Democrats' fault."

[chelsea0011]

3. Aren't they part of the Axis Of Evil?" Syria, Iran, and Iraq?

[BridgeTheGap]

4. Isn't Syria primarily Suni?

Also, Syria doesn't actually line up to be a regional power the way Iran does. The ugliness of Iraq demonstrates the bad blood between Suni and Shiite. The big Suni players at this conference DID NOT want Iran there.

[dbonds]

5. Maybe part of the discussion was what would everyone do if...

the US bombed Iran.

[spanone]

7. we could have a bingo here.

[rockymountaindem]

6. Because we're trying to isolate them

and are not part of the Israeli-Arab conflict. The Israeli-Iranian conflict takes place on a different axis.

[spanone]

9. do we isolate them by letting their president speak at an American college?

[rockymountaindem]

11. That was unofficial

What was the government going to do? Issue an edict that he couldn't speak there? He had the right as a foreign head of state to travel within a 25 mile radius of the UN headquarters and he has freedom of speech in this country.

[damntexdem]

8. Because this is the Dubya Administration.

Bushista policy doesn't have to make sense, only fit a Faux News storyline.

[louis-t]

10. Because that's what bullies do.

[lovuian]

12. After they just bombed Syria and scaring them to death

I guess they are going to try to make a deal with Syria

[Igel]

13. Golan heights?

That's one good reason for including Syria.

Now, Saudi Arabia's included because of the Custodian of the Two Mosques. For many, if it's acceptable to him, they'll at least consider it. Not for all, to be sure, there are more than a few hardliners (by comparison with the Custodian, and that's saying something).

Iran would only be invited if "we" wanted to be sure to include Hezbollah, and to a certain extent, Hamas. But I think it's safe to say what their responses would be. And the implication would, of course, be insulting (the only reasonable reason for including Iran, IMHO). Then again, by inviting Syria--hosting a parallel anti-peace conference, IIRC, they've got Hamas and Hezbollah pretty much covered.