Can Syria Break its Iranian Bear Hug? -Amos Harel & Avi Issacharoff
Iran's official response to the news of indirect talks between Syria and Israel suggests that Tehran was not in the loop. However, it is not readily obvious that Syria will rush to break ties with Iran.
The new rules of the game in Lebanon have granted Hizbullah de facto control over the country. Retaining Syrian influence in Lebanon is more important to Assad than regaining the Golan Heights. That is very hard to do without Iran and Hizbullah.
(Ha'aretz)
The Syrian Talks Aren't Serious -Barry Rubin
There isn't going to be a Syrian-Israeli deal. Both sides know it, yet have good reason to be seen talking.
If Syria is ready to move away from Iran, stop backing terrorist groups, be ready to make full peace with Israel and meet other conditions (limiting forces in the Golan Heights, early warning stations, etc.), the talks can advance. When this doesn't happen, the talks will either collapse or enter a long slow-motion process.
The idea that Syria wants real peace, will recognize Israel, move away from Iran, abandon Hamas or Hizbullah, and cease terrorist meddling in Iraq is the purest nonsense. All these steps are against the regime's vital interests.
(Jerusalem Post)
Iran's official response to the news of indirect talks between Syria and Israel suggests that Tehran was not in the loop. However, it is not readily obvious that Syria will rush to break ties with Iran.
The new rules of the game in Lebanon have granted Hizbullah de facto control over the country. Retaining Syrian influence in Lebanon is more important to Assad than regaining the Golan Heights. That is very hard to do without Iran and Hizbullah.
(Ha'aretz)
The Syrian Talks Aren't Serious -Barry Rubin
There isn't going to be a Syrian-Israeli deal. Both sides know it, yet have good reason to be seen talking.
If Syria is ready to move away from Iran, stop backing terrorist groups, be ready to make full peace with Israel and meet other conditions (limiting forces in the Golan Heights, early warning stations, etc.), the talks can advance. When this doesn't happen, the talks will either collapse or enter a long slow-motion process.
The idea that Syria wants real peace, will recognize Israel, move away from Iran, abandon Hamas or Hizbullah, and cease terrorist meddling in Iraq is the purest nonsense. All these steps are against the regime's vital interests.
(Jerusalem Post)
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