An alleged Syrian officer confesses Since this appeared on a US-backed Iraqi TV station, I really, really hope it pans out as authentic. Here’s the opener:

BAGHDAD, Iraq Feb 23, 2005 — Iraqi state television aired a video Wednesday showing what the U.S.-funded channel said was the confession of a captured Syrian officer who said he trained Iraqi insurgents to behead people and build car bombs to attack American and Iraqi troops.
The video also showed an Iraqi who said the insurgents practiced beheading animals to train for decapitating hostages.
Syrian officials could not immediately be reached for comment on the claims.

Clarification: Contrary to some tendentious email, let me be clear what I meant. I hope that this story doesn’t turn out to be fake in the sense that I would hate for America’s credibility on Syria’s threat to be undermined.