Does it really matter what news source said what? I would make the point that no source quoted represents the reality of the situation.
What we are seeing in the Middle East is an ongoing resource war, muddied by religion.
Did not Bush say the American way of life will not be compromised.
If there ain't no oil it will most certainly compromised and a big chunk of the oil imports come from the middle east and Syria would provide excellent pipeline routes.
I think this would be called the 'big picture'.