Published: 11 September 2017
Last updated: 4 March 2024
How to understand Israel’s strike on Syria (New York Times)
In the early hours of Thursday night, according to the Syrian Army, the Israeli Air Force attacked a military site in the Syrian town of Masyaf that produces advanced missiles. Though the attack does not compare in strategic value to the attack on Syria’s Al Kibar nuclear reactor, which was destroyed a decade ago, it represents a major step in the right direction for Israel’s policy toward Syria. This strike sent five key messages — messages that point toward Israel adopting a more proactive strategy in confronting the threats posed by the Assad regime and its partners, Iran and Hezbollah (Sep 8)
Syrian regime caught in catch-22 with 'Israeli' strike (Ynetnews)
Analysis: On the one hand, the world understands Syria is a criminal country carrying out war crimes; on the other hand, the Assad regime is unable to refute the accusations on the production and use of chemical weapons in the facilities allegedly attacked by Israel, as it would have to invite inspectors to a site in which it likely has something to hide (Sep 10)
Why Syria hasn't retaliated to the alleged Israeli strike (Haaretz)
It appears that the timing of the Israeli strike isn’t convenient for sabre rattling by the Assad regime and its supporters. The regime scored an important victory last week when the Syrian army and Shi’ite militias took over Deir el-Zour in eastern Syria and drove out Islamic State fighters. Iran is explaining its active military involvement in Syria with the need to help the Assad regime, more than opening a front with Israel, while Hezbollah is playing down the assistance it receives from Iran and Syria (Sep 10)
Why Russia may not respond to the alleged Israeli airstrike in Syria (Times of Israel)
Moscow may well turn a blind eye to attack on Assad's chemical weapons depot; the Syrians and Iranians might want to pause too (Sep 8)
Photo: Syrian President Bashar Assad and his wife, Asma, last month (Presidency of the Syrian Arab Republic / Twitter).
Comments
No comments on this article yet. Be the first to add your thoughts.