Perhaps worried that his lack of military credentials will make his people perceive him as vulnerable, Bashar has even done some saber rattling recently, which has resonated beyond Syria's borders. When the war started, Bashar said that he hoped the United States would be defeated in Iraq, instantly drawing praise among the most radical elements on the Arab street. Attendants at the Al Azhar mosque in Cairo shouted, "Bashar, Bashar, set the world on fire!" If he's not careful, however, it may be Syrian territory that goes up in flames.
The United States does not have to invade Syria to make its point. A few well-targeted attacks on terrorist training camps in Syria and Lebanon could just as easily accomplish U.S. aims. The president has made it clear that no country or leader who harbors terrorists is safe from attack. If Bashar al-Assad won't shut down the terrorist training camps operating on territory he controls, why shouldn't we do it for him?
Sure, the French would go into a snit again, as would the Germans, Russians and the blame-America-first crowd here in the U.S. But the world would be a better place -- not to mention safer -- if the ranks of Hezbollah, HAMAS and other terrorist groups joined their fellow "martyrs" in whatever deepest region of hell is reserved for those who slaughter the innocent.
We have given Bashar fair warning. If he wants to save himself and his country, he ought to take heed.