From CBS News:
A U.S. Congressional delegation was to arrive in Damascus Friday night in what could be the start to a new chapter in Syria – U.S. relations.
After years of disregard by George W. Bush, President Bashar al-Assad is hoping Barack Obama will bring Syria into the diplomatic fold, genuinely engaging Israel's neighbor in the effort to bring lasting stability to the Middle East.
Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wa., was heading the delegation of House Armed Services Committee members dispatched by the Obama administration, which seems keen to push the Mideast peace agenda, according to diplomats in Damascus.
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My Comment: Here we go again .... placating dictators with the belief that they would be our friends in the future, Nope .... they are dictators, and in Syria's case they are aligned with some countries (Iran) and groups (Hezbollah) who have been involved in the systematic murder of American nationals.
Appeasement never works. Never.