Britain’s recent call to bring Syria into the EU’s European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) is part of a wider western strategy to tempt the previously isolated Ba'athist regime away from Iran and continue co-operation with the west in Iraq and Lebanon. Chris Philips at the Guardian wonders whether we are witnessing another example of human rights and democracy being sacrificed for political expediency.

“The ENP aims to build relationships with Europe's neighbours based ‘upon a mutual commitment to common values (democracy and human rights, rule of law, good governance, market economy principles and sustainable development)’.” In Syria, however, as Chris Philips points out, "Human rights violations continue and the ruling regime has shown no serious moves towards democratisation.” That said, other beneficiaries such as Egypt, Israel and Jordan, also fall short of ENP criteria, raising questions as to failings in the ENP itself. Click for the original article…