Syria

A Strategic Alliance Central to Regional Stability

When Turkey barred Israel from a joint military exercise earlier this October, there was a great deal of speculation about the seriousness of a rift between the two allies. Although the strategic relations between the two regional superpowers is critical to both nations it also transcends the bilateral benefits that Turkey and Israel individually derive from it, as their alliance is fundamental to the region's balance of power and political stability.

Netanyahu signals willingness to negotiate with Syria

Following his visit to the U.S. this week, Prime Minister Netanyahu made a stop in France to meet with President Nicolas Sarkozy. Reports have circulated that in Sarkozy's meeting today with Syrian President Bashar Assad, he will deliver a message from Netanyahu signaling his willingness to withdraw from the Golan Heights.

Syrian and Israeli leaders voice support for resuming peace talks

Syrian President Bashar Assad and Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak both voiced support for resuming peace talks in an exchange of statements yesterday. Assad, during a visit to Zagreb, announced that he was in favor of renewing talks with Israel and asked for support from the European Union, citing the need for a third party's involvement. Several Israeli officials responded by voicing support for continuing dialogue with Syria.

Yossi Yehoshua reports in Yedioth Ahronoth:

Israel and Russian foreign policy

INSS Insight No. 132, September 22, 2009

The international community has of late demonstrated active political engagement in everything concerning the Middle East. There is heightened anticipation of strategic developments, whether political or military. The backdrop is the conduct of the American administration and its attempt at dialogue with the Muslim world, including an attempt at direct talks with Iran, and renewed efforts to jumpstart the political process between Israel and its neighbors. At the same time, the constant deterioration of the Iranian nuclear issue and the ongoing, comprehensive confrontation with radical Islam continue.

An Israeli View: Three corridors

When it comes to Arab-Israel matters, the Obama administration seems to be shooting too high. Much like the initial insistence on a "complete and absolute" settlement freeze, so the targeting of a permanent status agreement in one fell swoop turns the best into the enemy of the good.

Old Netanyahu Land for Peace with Syria document released

Yedioth Ahronoth reported this morning that the "Lauder document," a paper from Netanyahu's first term as Prime Minister that contains an Israeli commitment to withdraw completely from the Golan Heights, is being published for the first time.

Ghajar: Problem and Solution

INSS Insight No. 123, August 9, 2009

During his recent visit to Ghajar, Foreign Minister Lieberman said that a wall should be built between the two sections of the village, located respectively in Israeli and Lebanese territory. He added that concern for security is the leading consideration in such a move. Before examining the advantages of such a measure, it would be wise to understand how Israel arrived at a situation in which people who consider themselves Syrian, yet carry Israeli identification cards, may be forced to live in Lebanon.

Lebanon in the aftermath of the June 2009 elections: Facing the National-Unity Government Challenge

The victory of the "pro-Western" March 14 coalition in the June 2009 Lebanese elections constituted a significant political development that was welcomed by the international community as a step towards Lebanon's further democratization and consolidation of the "Cedar Revolution." However, several weeks have passed since the Saad Hariri-led coalition won at the electoral ballots, and still the newly elected majority is struggling to translate this political mandate into concrete political power.

US Renews Sanctions Aimed At Syrian Meddling in Lebanon

Despite the positive developments in the past year in increasing diplomatic relations between the US and Syria, President Obama has decided to extend sanctions against Syria for an additional year.  According to a White House statement issued on July 30, 2009:

A Strategic Necessity

The Obama administration's push for a comprehensive Arab-Israeli peace may have a much stronger likelihood of succeeding this time around because of the prevailing political and security dynamics. For an agreement to occur however, Israel must concede the inevitable by relinquishing territories captured in the 1967 war, and the United States must provide a new security umbrella to its regional allies. This would lead not only to a comprehensive Arab-Israeli peace, but it could seriously impede Iran's ambitions for regional hegemony with nuclear weapon capabilities.