Breaking News: Syria To be Targeted?

In this case it's not the sanctions that interest me but the timing of the announcement.

The White House had no immediate comment and there was no word on whether the sanctions included anticipated curbs on future U.S. investments in Syria by American energy companies.

(you get the point though...)

Bush imposes export ban against Syria

(Washington-AP) -- President Bush has signed an order banning U-S exports to Syria, except for food and medicine.
Today's action is the exclamation point to long-standing U-S complaints that Syria supports militant groups and has failed to stop guerillas from crossing its border with Iraq.
Annual trade between the U-S and Syria totals about 300 (m) million dollars.
There are a few exemptions to the ban.
A State Department official says the sale of aircraft spare parts will still be allowed -- to prevent any danger to Syrian commercial planes. And communications equipment can be sold, to allow Syrians access to outside information.

I find it particularly rude of the administration this. My social calendar is already bursting at the seams for that week. Who, I demand to know, are these dreadful people?