Wooing Syria, Missing the Third Base………….
“More than a year after the US launched a cautious effort to reengage with Syria, wooing it away from Iran and the Iranian-backed Shiite organization Hezbollah, the process appears to have reached an impasse. Far from loosening its ties to Hezbollah, which the US classifies as a terrorist organization, Syria seems to be drawing ever closer to the powerful group in military cooperation. A year ago, it was reported that Hezbollah militants were receiving training in Syria on SA-8 “Gecko” vehicle-mounted antiaircraft missile systems, and that Syrian-manufactured M600 artillery rockets with a range of 155 miles had been transferred to the Lebanese group. …….”
The Syrians want the Golan Heights back, all of the Golan Heights, just as the Egyptians got the Sinai back, all of the Sinai (it is tempting to add: just as Hamas got Gaza back, all of Gaza). The Syrians know that the Israelis are not willing to give up the Golan, certainly not all of it. It is a short race downhill from the Golan to Damascus: a sort of guarantee of peace on the Syrian front, just as Pyongyang has its own perceived guarantees of "peace" in Korea, a potential barrage from various weapons of destruction (mass and otherwise) only a few miles from Seoul.
Cheers
mhg
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