Laying The Groundwork For A Peace Deal With Syria?

Yearning For The Golan Heights: Why Syria Wants It Back -- Christian Science Monitor

The disputed territory is key to the broader US goal of Arab-Israeli peace. On Monday, Washington hosted the first high-ranking Syrian official in five years.

Damascus, Syria - The US demonstrated its commitment to reengage Syria as a partner for Middle East peace Monday, advancing a process that some Arab countries had declared dead in recent weeks. At Washington's invitation – the first one extended to a high-ranking Syrian official in five years – Deputy Foreign Minister Fayssal Mekdad came to town to meet US officials.

Syria's cooperation is crucial to the chief goal of President Obama's Middle East policy: Arab-Israeli peace. With ties to three Israeli enemies – Iran, and the militant groups Hezbollah and Hamas – Syria says it can moderate the threats against the Jewish state and thus pave the way for reciprocal Israeli concessions to the Palestinians and their Arab allies.

In return, Syria wants one thing: the Golan Heights.

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My Comment: I am the first to admit that the U.S. brokered peace deal in 2000 was an incredible accomplishment. I never expected any Israeli Government to be willing to give it up .... but when the deal collapsed over 328 feet .... the old animosities and hatreds returned.

Today's world is different than the world of 2000. Israel's experiences of returning land has only resulted in wars with Hamas, a war with Hezbolah in Lebanon, and a low level insurgency campaign in the West Bank. They are not so "generous" today.

I know that President Obama is trying to drag the Syrians back into the discussion ..... but the Syrians are not willing to give something in return to get the Israelis interested to negotiate. They want their land back ..... and everything else can then be discussed. To the Israelis .... this is (and will) not be acceptable.