Will Syria Come in from the Cold?

ISTANBUL — Will the recent rapprochement between the United States and Syria mark a new era in Syria's international standing? Syria can hope for two major changes following the restoration of full diplomatic relations with the U.S.

First, it will be removed from America's informal blacklist of "Axis of Evil" countries, which will substantially improve its chances to enter the World Trade Organization. Second, Syria will probably receive the go-ahead for a pipeline to bring Iraqi oil across its territory to Turkey. Such a link to Turkey's economy — and thus possibly to the European Union — would encourage Syria to open its economy even more to foreign investment.