CORRECT ON SYRIA - AT 4:50 P.M. ET:  The president has made a correct foreign policy call, and is showing some spine, a rarity, but welcome. From The New York Times:

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Obama administration said Friday it is renewing economic and diplomatic sanctions on Syria, even as two U.S. envoys are in the Syrian capital exploring prospects for improved relations.

In a letter to Congress, President Barack Obama said he was compelled to renew the penalties, which were first imposed by George W. Bush's administration four years ago as diplomatic contact dwindled. Washington has not had an ambassador in Damascus since Margaret Scobey was recalled in 2005.

''The actions of the government of Syria in supporting terrorism, pursuing weapons of mass destruction and missile programs, and undermining U.S. and international efforts with respect to the stabilization and reconstruction of Iraq pose a continuing unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy and economy of the United States,'' Obama said in the letter dated Thursday.

COMMENT:  Eyebrows will be raised because the decision was announced, as the story says, while American diplomats are in Damascus.  But that's okay.  It sends the right message.  Let's hope that the White House is starting to see at least some issues the way they are, not the way the UN sees them.  This will make it clear to Syria that we expect something in return for our diplomatic outreach.

May 8, 2009