"The end of Syria? "

Tuesday 8 January 2013

"The end of Syria? "

ZIONIST ISRAHELLI THINK TANK BESA..

The end of Syria?

What are the implications for israel and the region of thiscontinuing instability?

Prof. Efraim Inbar:

First of all, we can admit that Israel doesn’t mind that fact that its adversaries are bleeding themselves a bit. We have no love lost for Assad.

Furthermore, the conflict is acerbating the Sunni-Shiite divide, and bringing Iran and Turkey into conflict too. An outcome that reduces Russian and Iranian influence in Syria would be welcome, as well.

Secondly, we should recognize that many national security issues in the eastern Mediterranean will be affected by the outcome in Syria, including the character of Cyprus, an island of great strategic importance. The eastern Mediterranean also holds enormous gas deposits that if properly developed can help Europe become less dependent on Russia and Turkey.The crisis in Syria is but a sideshow compared to the crisis over Iran’s development of nuclear weapons.

Prof. Joshua Teitelbaum:

Obviously, the best result for both Israel and the West, regardless of who emerges on top, is a new regime that is concerned with internal development and that does not support Iran and Hizballah. An independent Kurdistan, involving Kurds in Iran, Syria, Iraq, and hopefully Turkey, would be a good development for Israel and the West as well.

Dr. Eitan Shamir:

Let’s not forget that the Syrian army is slowly crumbling and disintegrating.

The Syrian Army was the last military on Israel’s borders that possessed full armored and infantry divisions, artillery and an air force. Assuming that Egypt and Jordan maintain their peace agreements with Israel, this means that Israel has no direct threat from a conventional military on its borders

Dr. Max Singer:

In retrospect, one thing is very clear: Israel was wise not to deliver the Golan to Syria. Indeed, the case for keeping the Golan may grow even stronger as events unfold. It is becoming apparent that Syria is not a real country. Since its establishment, Syria ruled the Golan for only 22 years and it certainly is not entitled to receive it again now