Syriana -Noah Pollak
When anything of international importance happens in or around Syria, there predictably follows a salivating at the prospect of "flipping" the Assad regime - of a peace deal with Israel, a renaissance in relations with the U.S., and a Syria that abandons, finally, its role as the Grand Central Station of terrorism in the Levant.
But if you're Bashar Assad [pictured above], why would you give up your alliance to the ascendant power in the Middle East and the connections to the terror groups that ensure your ability to dominate your neighbors?
Assad is in the enviable position of being the only Arab ally of Iran, which he believes will soon be the greatest regional power, and a nuclear one.
When anything of international importance happens in or around Syria, there predictably follows a salivating at the prospect of "flipping" the Assad regime - of a peace deal with Israel, a renaissance in relations with the U.S., and a Syria that abandons, finally, its role as the Grand Central Station of terrorism in the Levant.
But if you're Bashar Assad [pictured above], why would you give up your alliance to the ascendant power in the Middle East and the connections to the terror groups that ensure your ability to dominate your neighbors?
Assad is in the enviable position of being the only Arab ally of Iran, which he believes will soon be the greatest regional power, and a nuclear one.
[O]nce Iran goes nuclear, Arab resentment will magically turn into obsequiousness.
(Commentary)
Notes:
obsequiousness is defined as showing servile complaisance or deference
(Commentary)
Notes:
obsequiousness is defined as showing servile complaisance or deference
Levant refers to the lands bordering the eastern Mediterranean Sea from Turkey to Egypt
UPDATES:
Assad Aide: Syria Won't Sever Iran Ties for Peace with Israel -Yoav Stern & Barak Ravid
Syria will not sever ties with Iran and Hizbullah even as part of a possible peace agreement with Israel, Dr. Samir Taqi, a senior Syrian analyst, said in an interview with Al-Manar television on Tuesday.
(Ha'aretz)
Israeli Leader Warns Against Golan Giveaway - Eli Lake
Israel's deputy prime minister Shaul Mofaz said in an interview he believes the Golan Heights is a "strategic asset" and should not be relinquished to the Syrians, in part because of that country's close alliance with Iran.
"The moment that the Golan Heights gets into the Syrians' hands, it means Iran will be in the Golan Heights. Close your eyes and think about what kind of threat that is for Israel," he said.
(New York Sun)
UPDATES:
Assad Aide: Syria Won't Sever Iran Ties for Peace with Israel -Yoav Stern & Barak Ravid
Syria will not sever ties with Iran and Hizbullah even as part of a possible peace agreement with Israel, Dr. Samir Taqi, a senior Syrian analyst, said in an interview with Al-Manar television on Tuesday.
(Ha'aretz)
Israeli Leader Warns Against Golan Giveaway - Eli Lake
Israel's deputy prime minister Shaul Mofaz said in an interview he believes the Golan Heights is a "strategic asset" and should not be relinquished to the Syrians, in part because of that country's close alliance with Iran.
"The moment that the Golan Heights gets into the Syrians' hands, it means Iran will be in the Golan Heights. Close your eyes and think about what kind of threat that is for Israel," he said.
(New York Sun)
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