Regime Change, Part Deux?

U.S. severs most contacts with Syria, officials say / Washington debate reported over idea of 'regime change':
"Some U.S. officials say privately that there is now an active debate about whether 'regime change' should be a U.S. goal. Publicly, administration officials say that they want to see a change in behavior."

Isn't severing diplomatic ties the first step toward war?

"What we see in general is an administration that is categorically refusing to engage with Syria on any level," Moustapha said. "We see an administration that would really love to see another crisis in the Middle East, this time targeting Syria. ... Even before the Iraq war started, they had this grand vision for the Middle East."

Surely he's not suggesting the administration has a secret agenda? Shocking!