"In order to verify the casualties of civilians we have launched an investigation into this case to make sure how many civilians are killed and to make sure that what these civilians were doing at 2:30 in the morning in that place that is not a residential place.

VOA: standard.2009.09.04

The Syrians straddle the fence between the order of conservative nations on the one hand and this alliance with Iran on the other and it would make perfect sense for Bashar al-Assad to pose as the mediator with the Iranians, which means: hey,if you folks think I'm bad, think of the Iranians,they're much worse, but I have credit in their bank and I can deal with the Iranians."

VOA: standard.2009.03.18