https://pjmedia.com/richardfernandez/2013/02/12/the-hidden-mutex/feed/PJ Media is a leading news site covering culture, politics, faith, homeland security, and more. Our reporters and columnists provide original, in-depth analysis from a variety of perspectives.en-usWed, 10 Jun 2026 04:57:54 -0400<![CDATA[Elliot Abrams&#8217; account of how the Bush White House decided not to bomb the Syrian nuclear reactor in 2007 &#8212; but then let the Israelis bomb it anyway &#8212; paints a portrait of the inner cabinet decision making process.  At meetings over the question of whether or not to bomb the North Korean designed Syrian reactor the various principals fought their corner, advancing the institutional views of the agencies they represented with the President having the last word. Bush apparently decided not to bomb the reactor. But when Olmert, despite American suggestions to the contrary, went ahead an bombed it, Bush was curiously unsurprised. Despite the passage of 5 years and the fact that nearly everyone of importance then is still alive Abrams is still not sure what happened.]]>Tue, 12 Feb 2013 13:02:40 -0500<![CDATA[Richard Fernandez]]>https://pjmedia.com/richard-fernandez/2013/02/12/the-hidden-mutex-n192430