The Wall Street Journal, By Margaret Coker (17/7/2009)
Saudi Arabia is accelerating its effort to lure Syria from Iranian influence, Saudi officials said, a move they hope will improve chances for a renewed peace initiative in the region.
Saudi Arabia, the Middle East's largest economy and the world's biggest oil exporter, is offering economic incentives to Syria, including the promise of increased investment in Syria's moribund economy. It has also moved aggressively to repair the nations' strained diplomatic ties...
The Saudi royal adviser said the planned bilateral meeting between King Abdullah and Mr. Assad will seek to cement the two leaders' cooperation in forming the Lebanese government.
The calm in the western Negev continues. Hamas refrains from firing rockets into Israel and its senior figures emphasize for Western ears its policy of restraint. Hamas spokesman Ayman Taha told a New York Times correspondent that “the fighters needed a break and the people needed a break.” According to the New York Times report, the decision to suspend rocket fire was “partly the result of popular pressure,” and occurred because people were questioning the value of the rockets, which they regarded as relatively ineffective. 
