BC will be off the air for three days as I'll be out of town. Should resume Monday to reflect on Colin Powell's trip Saturday to Syria and Lebanon. Reportedly, he intends to warn the Syrians and Lebanese to cease supporting Hizbullah and Damascus-based Palestinian groups opposed to a settlement with Israel. Some background to the trip can be found here.

My opinion piece in Saturday's Daily Star will be on the same topic. More also next week from Chuck Freund as the debate on Arab liberalism continues.