Extracts from the cable:

• Vulnerability: THE HARIRI INVESTIGATION AND THE TRIBUNAL
• Possible action: PUBLICITY: Publicly highlighting the consequences of the ongoing investigation a la Mehlis causes Bashar personal
• Vulnerability: THE ALLIANCE WITH TEHRAN
• Possible action: PLAY ON SUNNI FEARS OF IRANIAN INFLUENCE
• Vulnerability: THE INNER CIRCLE
• Possible Action: ADDITIONAL DESIGNATIONS: (...) While the public reaction to corruption tends to be muted, continued reminders of corruption in the inner circle have resonance. We should look for ways to remind the public of our previous designations.
• Vulnerability: THE KHADDAM FACTOR
• Possible Action: We should continue to encourage the Saudis and others to allow Khaddam access to their media 8 outlets, providing him with venues for airing the SARG,s dirty laundry.
• Vulnerability: DIVISIONS IN THE MILITARY-SECURITY SERVICES
• Possible Action: ENCOURAGE RUMORS AND SIGNALS OF EXTERNAL PLOTTING
• Vulnerability: REFORM FORCES VERSUS BAATHISTS-OTHER CORRUPT ELITES
• Possible Action: HIGHLIGHTING FAILURES OF REFORM
• Vulnerability: THE ECONOMY DISCOURAGE FDI, ESPECIALLY FROM THE GULF
• Vulnerability: THE KURDS
• Possible Action: HIGHLIGHT KURDISH COMPLAINTS
• Vulnerability: Extremist elements increasingly use Syria as a base
• Possible Actions: -- Publicize presence of transiting (or externally focused) extremist groups in Syria (...) Publicize Syrian efforts against extremist groups in a way that suggests weakness, signs of instability, and uncontrolled blowback.
• CONCLUSION: (...) If we are ready to capitalize, they will offer us opportunities to disrupt his decision-making, * keep him off-balance, and make him pay a premium for his mistakes.