Syria bans Hamas. What lessons for us?

The New Republic recently published an article entitled, How Sharon beat the intifada--and what the United States can learn. Consider this progression of stories over the last two days and figure out what is to be learned:

• Sept. 26: Hamas Official Killed in Syria Car Bomb

• Sept. 27: Killing of Hamas Official in Damascus Was Message to Syria:

  The killing of a top Hamas official in Damascus was intended to be more of a message to Syria to stop supporting terrorism than to the terrorist group Hamas itself, an expert here [Jerusalem] said on Monday.

• Sept. 27: Hamas offices in Damascus ordered shut:

  The Syrian government has ordered the offices of Palestinian organizations operating in its territory closed, according to recent reports from Damascus.

I wish it were always this neat and clean.

(Last link via AlphaPatriot.)