Remember those semi-official peace talks between Israel and Syria? The ones that were denied by Israel? The ones that many Jewish leaders said were not taking place? Well, Ha'aretz, which broke that story now reports that US Secretary of State Condaleeza Rice has told PM Olmert in no uncertain terms to abort those talks:
When Israeli officials asked Secretary Rice about the possibility of exploring the seriousness of Syria in its calls for peace talks, her response was unequivocal: Don't even think about it.
Why? Officially, because Syria continues to arm Hezbolla and Iraqi terror groups. I would suspect that, beyond the concern for Syria's dangerous meddling in Iraq and Lebanon, the US has lost confidence in Olmert's leadership to such an extent that it does not view him as being competent enough to make a secure peace.