In other news from the Middle East, the McClatchy Newspapers are reporting the Bush administration has launched a campaign to isolate and embarrass Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Some officials fear the campaign is aimed at destabilizing Syria. In recent weeks the State Department has issued a series of rhetorical broadsides against Syria. One official said, “It’s the new Cuba–no language is too tough.” The campaign is centered on the parliamentary elections scheduled for April 22. The U.S. is also covertly funding election monitors inside and outside Syria.