Bashar Assad

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:

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.

Sarkozy Proposes Using Syria and Qatar to Promote Shalit Deal

President Sarkozy's connections in Syria and Qatar offer a new approach to Israel's efforts to release Gilad Shalit. 

Or Shabi and Yonatan Gonen from Nana10.co.il:

The Palestinian Maan news agency reports this morning that in the course of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's meeting with French President Nicolas Sarkozy last week, Sarkozy proposed using his connections in Syria and Qatar to accelerate the release of kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit.

Eating Syrian Hummus in Jerusalem

In 2007, the Turkish government helped to organize secret negotiations between the Syrian and Israeli governments.  An American businessman visited Syria with hopes to convince President Bashar Assad of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's "serious intentions". 

Nahum Barnea in Yedioth Ahronoth:

Along the way, he told Assad that one of Olmert's favorite foods was hummus.

Arab Rulers Fear It Will Happen to Them Too

The unrest in Iran throughout the last week not only threatens to dismantle its own political system, but also awaken social protest among millions in the Arab world.  In particular, President Mubarak of Egypt is concerned about his upcoming meeting with Ahmadinejad at the conference of non-aligned nations and the prospects of the Iranian unrest triggering a similar situation in Egypt.

Smadar Peri in Yedioth Ahronoth:

Obama-Netanyahu: The First Inning

INSS Insight No. 109, May 21, 2009

After a long meeting that exceeded its scheduled time, President Obama and Prime Minister Netanyahu spoke with the press together yet addressed completely different audiences. President Obama spoke to the international community and the Arab states. With the exception of some small audiences in the United States, it is hard to imagine that the American public was waiting for the outcome of the meeting with bated breath. By contrast, Prime Minister Netanyahu spoke to approximately fifty - or fewer - Members of Knesset who are in his coalition.

Jimmy Carter: U.S. and Syria Ready to Restore Full Diplomatic Ties

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter said yesterday that the United States and Syria are close to restoring full diplomatic ties.

An Israeli View: The Ball is in Obama's Court

The new government in Israel does not give priority to Israeli-Palestinian and Israeli-Syrian peace agreements. From its standpoint, the economic crisis requires more intensive care, the Iranian threat is real and immediate and is linked to Israel-hatred rather than to the Middle East conflict, and the price of peace is too high. In PM Binyamin Netanyahu's eyes, full descent from the Golan Heights will endanger Israel while giving up the West Bank is no less dangerous. Hence it is preferable to play for time until the world accepts that these territories remain in our hands.