And the Syrian leader apparently believes others will blink first.

A Syrian military leader warned that his country is determined to stop the Beirut fighting.

Aides said the invitation was straightforward, but they acknowledged that the Syrian leader would probably decline.

Whether the Syrian leader is ready to go beyond that is far from clear, the officials said.

But it is also an admission never expressed so bluntly by a Syrian leader.

The President also said he would talk with the Syrian leader about the importance of combating terrorism.

Israeli officials are also pessimistic, although some have painted the new Syrian leader in a positive light.

Nevertheless, they tell us some important things about the young Syrian leader.

The Syrian leader had "not closed the door" totally, the official said.

In the end, though, everything comes back to the Syrian leader.