Graphic source: Atlas Shrugged.Syrian President Bashar Assad met with U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, in Damascus although I note that Pelosi did nothing to negotiate the release of the British soldiers held for the past two weeks by Iran. I wonder if this is the new era of Middle Eastern diplomacy promised by Pelosi. To be an adroit force in Middle Eastern politics during the post-Bush era Pelosi will need to demonstrate a more effective application of her policies. For example, a Presidential hopeful, the Reverend Jesse Jackson, proved himself useful in hostage negotiations. In 1984, Jackson successfully secured the release of a Navy pilot held in Syria. Moreover, in 1991, he helped secure the release of 500 "international guests" held in Iraq and in 1999, he worked to convince Yugoslavia to release three U.S. soldiers held there during the Kosovo conflict. Finally, Jackson involved himself in hostage situations in Iraq.
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