Clinton to warn Syria of US commitment to Israel

WASHINGTON – US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is slated to warn Tehran and Damascus Thursday that Washington's commitment to Israel's security is "unshakable" in a speech before the American-Jewish Committee. 
  US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates said on Tuesday that Iran and Syria are arming Hezbollah with an arsenal of rockets and missiles the likes of which most countries do not have. US state officials are greatly concerned with the transfer of rockets from Syria to Hezbollah. Following meetings between Defense Minister Ehud Barak with Clinton and Gates in Washington, Obama administration officials toughened their public stance concerning activities in south Lebanon.
Meanwhile, a debate is being held in Washington about the appointment of Robert Ford as US ambassador to Damascus. The Senate have yet to set a date for a vote on the appointment.  
According to Crowley, Clinton is expected to stress the considerations in appointing a Damascus envoy. She will argue that it would not be "a reward or concession," but rather "a tool that can give us added leverage and insight and greater ability to convey strong and clear messages aimed at changing Syria's behavior."