The Bad Neighbor Policy

Everyone laughed when the neoconservatives elaborated their domino theory for remaking the Middle East. They're not laughing any more. Syria is probably next in line simply because that nation's economy is almost wholly dependent on Iraqi oil, now controlled by the U.S.

The U.S. has been hectoring Syria since last week for its alleged protection of top Iraqi war criminals and for sending Saddam military supplies such as night vision goggles. Western European nations are trying to convince the U.S. not to use military action, although a U.S. attack might well help Israel, which complains terrorist attacks against it are mounted in Syria. For its part, Syria angrily denied the charges. As a sign of what's to come, the U.S. has cut off the pipeline carrying oil between Iraq and Syria.

Additional reporting: Phoebe St John and Joanna Khenkine