Here's an interesting opinion from a reporter covering US politics in Syria.

Make sure to read the last paragraph, and especially the last sentence...which is what I believe most Americans believe we are doing in the region. 

The article says that Syria will likely be running out of oil in four years at which time the economic evironment in Syria will change.  Syria has been open to democratic-like reform recently, although it has allied itself with the Hez and Iran.  The US is offering help for an economic future in exchange for a more moderate agenda.  Will democracy come to Syria within the decade?  If so, what will the neighbors think?  Does the offering of an economic future make the US evil?

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/05/opinion/05tabler.html