1. Syria

2. Syria's regional Position Originally part of the Ottoman Empire Freedom from French 1944 recognized Formed a single nation with Egypt Broke apart soon after Syria is well known for influencing Lebanese's government and policies

3. Current policy Syria is currently on the U.S. list for nation believed to harbor terrorist Major conflict of interests due to the Golom heights struggle between Israel and Syria The United States does not approve of Syrian influence in Lebanese Syrian Accountability Act pass in 2003 puts limits on trading with Syria

4. Option 1 The United States can continue as it currently is isolating Syria. The Current policy condemns Syria but takes minimal steps against them. Supports Israel by not condemning them for holding Golan Heights

5. Reasons for Option 1 Option one does not upset Israel our strongest ally in the region. Forces Syria to take the necessary steps to gain acceptance and remove the sanctions on themselves Mean no expense for the U.S. Being a continuation of the current policy there will be no difficulty implementing new policy.

6. Option 2 Reopen relationships with Damascus Allow for new trade relations with Syria Work with Syria to influence their government towards our preferences

7. Reasons for option 2 This option would help to build Syria as an ally of the United States Gain new imports from Syria and a new market for our exports Would be supported on the global scale, due to Syria’s steps for global acceptance Disadvantages Syria would likely ask for support about Golan Heights which would put the United States between Syria and Israel Would need to remove the Syrian Accountability Act

8. Option 3 Support Israel's Claim on Golan Heights Create a full scale embargo on Syria If hostilities increase resulting in war support Israel

9. Reasons for option 3 Fortifies the United States Relationship with Israel Would enforce the zero tolerance for terrorist Would give the United States a reason become militaristic with Syria if they became aggressive towards Israel. This would allow for a reforming of Syria into a nation with more pro-U.S. sentiments Disadvantages Unlikely to have a positive global response to siding with Israel Likely result of another war in the middle east