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“There’s no panic or despair. But a deep sense of betrayal” Turkey’s Syria offensive could displace over a million Kurds, top analyst Jonathan Spyer warns. Believes Kurds will reject Israeli offer of humanitarian aid.
After Trump abandons Kurds, Israel knows it can’t rely on anyone. Col. (res.) Dr. Eran Lerman: Trump’s step is a “moral outrage.”
The new enemy just over the Syrian border. Dr. Yossi Mansharof: Iran is exploiting the lack of a centralized power in Afghanistan and Pakistan to enlist support for and manpower for its militias.
Iran to Lease Part of Latakia Port – Reports. Dr. Yossi Mansharof: The rivalry between Tehran and Moscow is becoming “more visible” in post-war Syria.
Tehran eyes vital Syrian port of Latakia as gateway to Med. Dr. Yossi Mansharof: Moscow is likely to allow Israel to launch strikes on Iranian targets around Latakia if it uses the port to ship weapons.
Israel has not fully deterred Iranian aggression in Syria. Prof. Efraim Inbar: Iran still remains determined to open a second front against Israel in Syria.
Israel Confirms Attacks on Iranian Targets in Syria. Major General (res.) Yaakov Amidror :“If you want to make clear to the other side that you are determined to prevent something, either you escalate the operation, or you say in public I’m doing it, meaning I’m ready to take the risk”.
'Israel will continue to react to military entrenchment by Iran' Israel has carried out airstrikes on Iranian targets in the vicinity of the Syrian capital Damascus. The Israeli Defense Forces have confirmed the military operation in an tweet earlier this morning. Radio Sputnik discussed the development with Efraim Inbar, president of the Jerusalem Institute for Strategic Studies.
General Amidror: US withdrawal from Syria is a red flagץ Former NSA warns that US pullout from Syria endangers Kurds, empowers Turkey, and sends troubling message to American allies.
How critical are American boots on the ground in Syria for Israel? General Amidror: “Declaring Israeli sovereignty over the Golan won’t help us in acting against the Iranians, but it won’t stop us from acting against the Iranians.”
Like Obama, Trump is eroding American credibility. Dr. Emmanuel Navon: The US pullout from Syria is both a strategic and a moral mistake.
Trump Syria pullout ‘blow’ to Tel Aviv: Israeli experts. Dr. Eran Lerman: The move will make anyone who thinks of a coalition with the U.S. in the future move away from the idea.
A Fragile Russian-Turkish Cease-fire In Syria’s Idlib. Dr. Hay Eytan Cohen Yanarocak of JISS: Turkey is eager to exclude Syria from negotiations because it does not recognize the government of al-Assad and does not want to grant it legitimacy by engaging in talks.
Poll: 91% of Israelis favor strikes on Iranian assets in Syria. Some 77% of respondents believe Israel must pursue hard-line policies to thwart Iran's nuclear ambitions, Jerusalem Institute for Strategic Studies poll finds. It also finds 57% are pleased with how PM Netanyahu is handling the Iranian threat.
Stemming The Tide: France Boosts Aid To Jordan For Syrian Refugees. Dr. Emmanuel Navon: Macron is seeking to fill the void left by the US in the Middle East, and boost France’s hard and soft power in the region.
No Matter Who Wins the Syrian Civil War, Israel Loses. General Amidror: “We cannot do everything, but we can do a lot to force the Iranians to decide if they are ready to pay the price” for their intervention in Syria.
One hundred kilometers between war and peace in Syria? General Amidror: Confronting Iran in Syria now is preferable than allowing the Islamic Republic to build up its military capability in Syria on par with that of Hizbullah's in Lebanon.
Concerns Raised Southern Syrian Regime Offensive May Spill Over to Israel Lerman and Boms of JISS: Will Israel abandon its allies?
on the nexus between Syria, Iran, Russia and Israel Dr Jonathan Spyer discusses how the interests of Russia, Iran and Israel are influencing the situation in Syria as the civil war draws to an end.
Turkey, Israel, Syria. Professor Efraim Inbar discusses Turkey and Israel's strategic positions, plus recent developments in Syria.
Suspected Israeli strikes hit Iran-linked targets in Syria, escalating regional tensions. Dr. Jonathan Spyer of JISS: With Israel determined to prevent the “consolidation and entrenchment” of Iranian influence in Syria, “the chances of confrontation between Israel and Iran are quite significant.”
Trump has ‘walked back’ vow of pullout in Syria, experts say. Dr. Eran Leman: Trump will allow US forces to remain, but only if the French and Saudis agree to share the burden.
Israeli analysts question Trump’s Syrian troop pullout push. Prof. Efraim Inbar: This air strike was the bare minimum. Assad will not be deterred by this.
The situation in Syria Dr. Emmanuel Navon
recent air-strikes against targets in Syria following chemical attacks in Douma and what it means for Israel and the wider region. Dr. Eran Lerman
'MISSION ACCOMPLISHED' IN SYRIA WOULD BE BLESSING FOR ASSAD, TROUBLE FOR ISRAEL. Dr. J. Spyer: Jerusalem remains concerned that the US and its partners are turning a blind eye to Iran's attempts to entrench itself in the country.
SAUDIS PUBLICLY OPPOSE U.S. EXITING SYRIA WHILE ISRAEL OBJECTS QUIETLY Col. Lerman: US withdrawal from Syria would have very negative consequences for Israel and the region
Ex-Security Official: Israel Seeks to Avoid Russian Interests in Syria. Former NSC head Yaakov Amidror said that Russia "can't complain" if Israel targets Iranians in Syria.
Plot Thickens For Israel In Syria As Russia Outs Military Operation. Prof. Efraim Inbar: When it comes to our national security we are entitled to do what is necessary to uphold it The Media Line, April 9, 2018
Syria: Where Chaos Theory Meets Murphy’s Law. Dr. Jonathan Spyer: A whole series of other contests that have little to do with internal Syrian dynamics—but which are nonetheless taking place on Syrian soil—have now erupted. By Charles Bybelezer | The Media Line, February 20, 2018
Iran, Deeply Embedded in Syria, Expands ‘Axis of Resistance’ Gen. Amidror: “Israel face not only quantities of Hezbollah missiles, but the threat to vulnerable strategic sites.” By Ben Hubbard, Isabel Kershner and Anne Barnard, The New York Times, Feb. 19, 2018
On Iran, Syria and Saudi Arabia. Interview with Col. (res.) Dr. Eran Lerman
