Eventuele volgende oorlog Israël-Libanon bloediger dan ooit. nn - 07.12.2010 17:52
De ongelimiteerde wapenleveranties van Syrië aan Hezbollah in Libanon waaronder vele langeafstandsraketten die Israël in het hart kan raken kan een oorlog veroorzaken die velen malen bloediger kan uitpakken dan de voorgaande Israël-Libanon oorlog van 2006 blijkt uit een gelekt ambtsbericht op wikileaks van de Amerikaanse ambassade in Syrië (Damascus). Tot nu toe heeft Israël geprobeerd om Syrië niet in de oorlog te betrekken maar kan dit niet garanderen bij een volgende escalatie met de Hezbollah in Libanon. De V.S. die een fragiele militaire samenwerking met Syrië onderhoud wil de president van Syrië Asas in een 1 op 1 gesprek hier voor waarschuwen maar daarbij niet hun eigen strategische samenwerking teniet doen. http://www.wikileaks.ch/cable/2009/11/09DAMASCUS804.html Syria's determined support of Hizballah's military build-up, particularly the steady supply of longer-range rockets and the introduction of guided missiles, could change the military balance and produce a scenario significantly more destructive than the July-August 2006 war. There is overwhelming evidence that shows Syria provided not just logistical and other support in moving the weapons, but was the main source of the weapons. Syria's integration of Hizballah into its military doctrine, moreover, means that Hizballah operatives and facilities enjoy a growing footprint in Syria. Up to now, U.S. efforts have largely focused on developing a cooperative relationship with Syria on issues of mutual interest, such as Iraq and U.S. sanctions. Our four month pursuit of military-to-military cooperation on Iraqi border security represented, in effect, a first step toward establishing a broader and higher-level dialogue on Iraqi security issues, including Syrian support of foreign fighters.Though raising this subject could well distract from a cooperative approach that shows signs of progress after months of investment, we believe sounding a warning, probably in a one-one-on meeting with President Asad, would be worth considering in pursuit of a broader, more strategic dialogue. End Summary. The Syrian government's strategic view of relations with Hizballah is difficult to assess with high confidence. According to various contacts, President Asad appears to be focused on the possibility of a new conflict between Israel and Syria, but many suggest he believes that the red lines of the 2006 war would be preserved. According to this model, Syria could avoid direct involvement as long as Israel refrained from striking targets on Syrian soil. Syria also seems to be hedging its bets through improved relations with Turkey, France, and Saudi Arabia, which, Syrian officials probably hope, would object to Israeli attacks against Lebanon and/or Syria. Website: http://www.wikileaks.ch/cable/2009/11/09DAMASCUS804.html |