More Evidence

of Bush administration incompetence in the Middle East. The New York Times reports that as Syria's influence in Lebanon has fallen--following the assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri--Iran's has grown. Iran has long had ties to Hezbollah, the Lebanese Shi'ite faction often credited with driving Israel from the southern part of the country. And hostility over the US role in Iraq doesn't help. Nor does increased American hostility toward Iran, which motivates the Iranians to step up activities that can isolate and embarrass the US in the region.

Lovely.