Relations between the United States and Syria are sliding even further of late, though it seems that they may be the only party minding this. All of this revolves around intense pressure on Damascus about the insurgency in Iraq. Many of the terrorists have set up arms and drug smuggling routes along the Syrian border, and the U.S. was recently forced to launch an all out attacked called “Operation: Matador” against their positions. With it being painfully obvious where these people come from, pressure against Damascus has soared over the past few weeks. Looks like Syria can’t take the heat.

WASHINGTON, May 23 – Syria has halted military and intelligence cooperation with the United States, its ambassador to Washington said in an interview, in a sign of growing strains between the two nations over the insurgency in Iraq.

The ambassador, Imad Moustapha, said in the interview on Friday at the Syrian Embassy here that his country had, in the last 10 days, “severed all links” with the United States military and Central Intelligence Agency because of what he called unjust American allegations. The Bush administration has complained bitterly that Syria is not doing enough to halt the flow of men and money to the insurgency in Iraq.

Mr. Moustapha said he believed that the Bush administration had decided “to escalate the situation with Syria” despite steps the Syrians have taken against the insurgents in Iraq, and despite the withdrawal in recent weeks of Syrian troops from Lebanon, in response to international demands.

He said American complaints had been renewed since February, when a half-brother of Saddam Hussein, who was once the widely feared head of Iraq’s two most powerful security agencies, was handed over to the Iraqi authorities after being captured in Syria along with several lieutenants. The renewal of complaints caused Syria to abandon the idea of providing further help, he said.

“We thought, why should we continue to cooperate?” he said.

Bush administration officials said Syria’s stance has prompted intense debate at high levels in the administration about new steps that might be taken against the Syrian government. The officials said the options included possible military, diplomatic or economic action. But senior Pentagon and military officials cautioned Monday that if any military action was eventually ordered, it was likely to be limited to insurgent movements along the border.

Wait, since when was Syria really cooperating in the first place? Assad’s regime doesn’t cooperate because it wants to, but because international pressure makes it happen. This approach can only go so far, however, especially in terms of economic sanctions. When these were passed in 2003, U.S. trade only amounted to $400 million and Prime Minister Mohammad Naji al-Otari declared they “will not have any effect on Syria.” For a government that doesn’t care for the welfare of its people, this is especially true. The U.S. is also not looking to attack the country directly, at most limiting itself to attacks against militants along the border. So what is an American government to do?

Keep up the pressure, and focus on the Iraq-Syria relationship. I say this because eventually the sovereign, elected government of Iraq will have a wide-ranging influence over Syria militarily, diplomatically, and economically. The war slashed Syria’s GDP to 2.5% in 2003, and it is only expected to hit 4% this year. This will undoubtedly not be enough to curb an unemployment rate of over 20%. To call in the growth it needs, Syria will have to develop extensive trade relations with Iraq, its old neighbor with a new government.

The problem for them rests in that, irregardless of hostilities with the U.S., they must support the wishes of the Iraqi government or face consequences where it can really hurt them in direct, regional isolation. Syria must realize this, and it is becoming pitifully apparent that they are either unwilling or unable to control the flow of insurgents; neither of which play well to Iraqi diplomats. Prime Minister al-Jaafari will be visiting Damascus in order to discuss this issue, but government spokesmen have been even more blunt than he has.

BAGHDAD (AP) – Syria most likely knows that its territory is being used by foreign fighters infiltrating into Iraq and must do more to prevent them from crossing the frontier, Iraq’s government spokesman said Sunday.

The comments from spokesman Laith Kuba demanding more action came amid increasing criticism of Syria by Iraqi and American officials, who say foreign fighters have used its territory to enter the country. Kuba claimed many of the infiltrators were coming from countries in the Persian Gulf region.

“Syria can do more,” Kuba said at a news conference. “It has a regime based on security, intelligence and police” he said, arguing that Damascus must know of their presence.

“It is impossible for about 2,000 people coming from the Gulf to pass through Syria and cross from Qaim or other border points without being discovered, despite our repeated calls,” he said.

Now that the Iraqis have a government of, by, and for the people, they aren’t going to have foreign terrorists wrecking havoc in their own country — nor will the be taken for fools about it. With the aid of American troops, the government there can put pressure on Syria at the border, but over time, they will have many more tools at their disposal to force Damascus’ good behavior and eventual regime change.