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I didn't mean to imply Syrians weren't smart. I meant to point out that they couldn't miss the fact that it ain't gonna happen because they surely are smart.
This is possibly a political ploy to garner discussion of the issue, as you point out. However, it is also possibly, and more likely, a lame-ass excuse to not do away with their chemical weapons. And, since it's an ulitmatum, I'm sure that's what it is.
Which is problematical, because Syria cannot be trusted with chemical WMD. It is simply too likely that it will use them in the near or distant future. Not because the current leaders are bad, but because it has a lot of extremist groups inside the country who have a great deal of popularity and may come to power. Many Syrians verbally yell about how great killing Jews is. If the right combination of these people came into power, well... it wouldn't be pretty. SCUDS will reach Israel from Syria for sure.
As well, chemical WMD are not as destructive as nukes and do not cause permanent damage -- so they can be used without as big a threat of retaliation or of permanently damaging the earth; look at what Saddam did to 40 Kurdish villages with mustard gas bombs and other lovely treats.
I see this as a poker game. The world is looking to Syria to end its chemical WMD program. Syria in turn is looking across the table at Israel and saying "only if Israel folds too." Israel's response, whether directly or impliedly, will be quite simple: "You got a pair of Jacks -- bully for you. We still got a full house, which beats your measley Jacks anyday. Ante up."
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