Four scholars offer contrasting perspectives on the foreign policy of the Middle Eastern country and its relationship with the US since Bashar al-Asad and George W. Bush came into power nearly simultaneously. Hinnebusch (international relations and Middle East politics, St. Andrews U., Scotland): between economic reform and nationalist realpolitik, Marwan J. Kabalan (political sciences, Damascus U., Syria): between domestic needs and the external environment, David W. Lesch (Middle East history, Trinity U., Texas): Basher al-Asad's role in Syrian foreign policy, and France-based political scientist Bassma Kodmani (the Arab Reform Initiative): the new US administration managing a different relationship with Syria. The pamphlet is not indexed. Distributed in the US by Lynne Reinner Publishers, Inc. Annotation ©2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)