I guess I just wonder at Syria's thinking here. Clearly they're stating which side of this conflict they're on (which has never really been a secret, but still...). Are they engaging now because they assume they'll be next, and they may as well go down fighting? Do they see joining the Iraqis at this point their best chance to attack coalition forces while those forces are concentrating elsewhere?

It just seems like a troubling development. I assume most of these troops will be killed before they have a chance to join up with Iraqi forces, but who knows?