HOPE: NEW U.S. ADMINISTRATION

    The current U.S. administration seemed not moved by Europe's diplomatic approach towards Syria and U.S.-Syrian relations even scaled backwards late October due to a U.S. helicopter cross-border raid which Damascus said killed eight Syrian civilians.

    But with lame duck President George W. Bush going out and President-elect Barack Obama taking office in January, Syria still hopes to improve relations with the super power.

    Syrian Information Minister Mohsen Bilal expressed belief that Obama would bring change in the big power's foreign policy "from a policy of war and siege to one of diplomacy and dialogue."

    During the Bush years, Syria have been bearing the mark of a "rogue state" and under continuous U.S. isolation and economic sanctions.

    Syria's icy ties with Washington, which traced back to 2003 when Damascus strongly objected the U.S. war on Iraq, became more tense following Hariri's killing in 2005, after which Washington withdrew its ambassador to Syria Margaret Scobey and never sent her back.

    Syria has always wished that Washington could became a sponsor of its peace talks with Israel, but Bush consistently rejected the proposal, citing concerns over Syria's close ties with Iran, its support for radical Palestinian groups and Hezbollah, and its alleged ignorance of militants and weapons infiltration into Iraq.

    Nevertheless, Syria still longed for a change of administration in the U.S. would bring different policies to the Middle East, especially with the new host of the White House Obama, who voiced willingness to engage Iran and Syria in his election campaigns.

    In a congratulation cable to Obama after his election, Assad voiced hope that "constructive dialogue" would prevail to overcome the difficulties which stood in the way of real progress towards peace, stability and prosperity in the Middle East.

    During his Middle East trip, Miliband also expressed the hope that 2009 would usher in changes in the region and around the globe as there would be a new American president, a new government in Israel and elections in Lebanon and Iran next year.

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