The Economist wrote an interesting piece on what they think are the motivations of Olmert and Assad to negotiate.

Mr Olmert’s critics in Israel suspect that he is pursuing the Syria track merely to divert attention from how badly talks on a peace deal with the Palestinian president, Fatah’s Mahmoud Abbas, have been going, and from some recent corruption scandals. For his part, Mr Assad may hope the talks will dampen anger at home caused by rising food prices and foreign pressure over Syria’s meddling in Lebanese politics. This confluence of interests could lead to something real; the question is whether either leader has the determination or the clout to make it so.

Read the full article.

Tags: Israel, Mideast Negotiations //