President Bush must really want war with Syria. He has already forced the secular, Baathist Government into an alliance with the ayatollahs. Now his Secretary of State is threatening sanctions against Syria. Reuters' Saul Hudson has the story:

The United States warned Syria on Friday that it must help investigate the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri or face the possibility of further sanctions.

Washington this week recalled its ambassador from Damascus because of its displeasure over Hariri's killing as well as its long-standing accusations that Syria allowed people in the country to help the Iraqi insurgency and to support attacks on Israel.

Washington has previously told Syria to withdraw its 14,000 troops from neighboring Lebanon, crack down on anti-Israel militants it believes operate in the country and stop what it says is support for the Iraqi insurgency across its border.

America clearly needs to take a strong line against the Syrians. Syria is aiding the Iraqi insurgents and clearly dominates all aspects of Lebanese life. What's more, they support terrorism. That having been said, America simply does not have the strength to invade every country that foments terrorism.

Teddy Roosevelt said America should speak softly and carry a big stick. Perhaps Bush should start doing a little more of the former before entering the country into another Middle East war.