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Can Iran and Its Proxies Be Restrained in Syria?

(Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs) Brig.-Gen. (res.) Yossi Kuperwasser - According to Lebanese and Syrian sources, in early December Israel attacked military facilities in Syria apparently used by Iran, including a weapons production compound and a military base, part of an intensifying battle over the future rules of the game in Syria. Iran has made considerable progress towards the goal of controlling Syria to serve its interests in gaining hegemony in the region and strengthening its offensive capability against Israel. Faced with this reality, Israel understands what has to be done - by itself - to protect its interests: Deny the Iranians and their Hizbullah proxy any permanent presence near the Israeli border in the Golan Heights. Foil Iranian attempts to supply Hizbullah with advanced weapons produced now in Syria or transferred by air, sea, or via the new ground corridor from Iran. Prevent Iran from building a permanent military and military industrial (including unconventional) presence in Syria. Through repeated attacks, Israel shows that it maintains an impressive intelligence dominance on the battlefield that enables it to act against targets in a timely and accurate manner. Even though it acts in accordance with its own interests, Israel proves to be the most valuable asset of the pragmatic camp in the region in the effort to prevent Iran and other radical elements from spreading their influence. This last factor illustrates how important the strategic value of Israel is for the West, as well as for the pro-Saudi/pragmatic Arab camp. The writer is former chief of the research division of IDF Military Intelligence and director general of the Israel Ministry of Strategic Affairs.
2017-12-13 00:00:00
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