Israel-Syria. Saudi-Lebanon-Iran.

The gut reaction to this story is so negative. How could they?

The United States demanded that Israel desist from even exploratory contacts with Syria, of the sort that would test whether Damascus is serious in its declared intentions to hold peace talks with Israel.

In meetings with Israeli officials recently, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was forceful in expressing Washington's view on the matter.

But I think it's important to put this in a little context.

"Recent developments have led to a conflict between the priorities of Damascus and those of Tehran," according to former Jordanian information minister Saleh Al-Qallab.....

The rift has been exposed by a flurry of recent diplomatic initiatives by King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, aimed at preventing further escalation of Sunni-Shiite conflicts.

It's a little complicated, but through Lebanon, the US and Saudis are attempting to pry apart Syria and Iran.

The Saudis have almost convinced Iran to get Hezbullah to rejoin the Lebanese government with the proviso that the inquiry into the Hariri killing will go ahead. Most evidence seems to indicate that the Syrians were involved in the Hariri killing, so they want no part of this deal. So, what you have is the two parties who influence Hezbullah, Iran and Syria, working at cross purposes.

I don't know how "real" this split between Iran and Syria is, but, more than likely, the Syrians were trying to broker a separate deal with the Israelis that would be more to their advantage.

That's why the US told the Israelis to knock it off.

I find myself wondering what the Israelis were trying to do.