From today’s Washington Post story on Syria’s latest shenanigans:
The story goes on to report that State Department officials continue to downplay suspicions that North Korea was somehow involved in the construction of the buildings the Syrians are tearing down while saying they were never there in the first place. People always talk about how one of the Republican candidates will have to “break from Bush” in order to help his chances in next year’s general election. Typically, the people saying this imply the candidate should “break with Bush” by disavowing the Iraq war – a foolish thing to do. And yet here’s an issue that is ripe for one of the candidates to take. I suspect one of the reasons the administration downplays North Korea’s suspected involvement in the Syrian affair is that to admit that Kim’s regime was somehow involved would embarrass those in the White House and State Department who advocate a conciliatory approach to North Korea. A presidential candidate who wants to prove his or her hawkish credentials could call the administration’s bluff and argue that the world is a dangerous place where strength, not wishful thinking, is necessary to maintain global order and American security. Here’s hoping.
