Syria appears to be taking tentative steps toward joining the Middle East Democracy Domino club. Is it mere coincidence that the post-invasion period is seeing wisps of freedom in another authoritarian regime? Michael Totten writes on his blog:

Whatever connection exists between a rising imperfect democracy in Iraq and a renascent democratic movement in Lebanon is debatable and indirect at best. The overthrow of Saddam Hussein in Baghdad didn’t trigger the upheaval in Beirut. The assasination of Rafik Hariri did. Still, when the U.S. ordered Bashar Assad to withdraw Syrian troops he said “I am not Saddam Hussein. I want to cooperate.” He did. Now he’s screwed.
Michael J. Totten - Cedar Revolution Exported to Syria