"If Israel's indirect talks with Syria were aimed at testing whether it might be possible to pull Damascus out of Iran and Hizbullah's orbits, then so far the test has failed."
"Yadlin: Syria-Hizbullah ties growing stronger," by Herb Keinon for the Jerusalem Post, October 26:
If Israel's indirect talks with Syria were aimed at testing whether it might be possible to pull Damascus out of Iran and Hizbullah's orbits, then so far the test has failed, Military Intelligence chief Maj.-Gen. Amos Yadlin indicated in the cabinet Sunday.
Despite the talks, not only has Damascus not lessened its cooperation with Hizbullah, it has actually stepped up its relationship with the organization.
"[Syrian President Bashar] Assad currently trusts Hizbullah more than his own army," Yadlin said during a briefing. "Hizbullah operatives are working from within Syria. The Syrians are loosening all restraints, and [are irresponsibly giving] Hizbullah access to almost all of their strategic capabilities."
Assad "is continuing to open up his warehouses to Hizbullah," Yadlin continued, adding that Syria was "turning into the arms granary" for Hizbullah.
He also said that Iranian and Syrian involvement in Lebanon was a means of taking control of the country.
And Hizballah has proven itself an indispensible tool in undermining the control of the Lebanese government.
"Syria and Iran are buying the regime in Lebanon and are pouring substantial money into buying parliamentary representatives and into conducting dubious business deals," the MI chief said. "The Iranian offer to assist in the building of the Lebanese Army is a ruse to take control of Lebanon." [...]
Regarding the diplomatic process with Syria, Yadlin said Assad was interested in an agreement with Israel on Syria's terms, but wanted to wait until after the US elections and the establishment of a new administration before moving anything forward.
Yadlin said Hizbullah was still trying to avenge the assassination of its commander Imad Mughniyeh, but was concerned about a harsh Israeli response. As such, he said, Hizbullah was working through indirect channels, including attempts to carry out attacks through Gaza.
Yadlin said this was creating some tension between Hizbullah and Hamas, since Hamas had an interest in preserving the current calm in the Gaza Strip. He said Hamas had, in fact, recently arrested Hizbullah terrorists in the Gaza Strip.
Regarding the Iranian nuclear program, Yadlin said Teheran was exploiting the transition period and current political uncertainty both in Israel and the US to advance its nuclear program.
"The changing of the governments in the US and Israel, and the world economic crisis, are being exploited by the radical axis in order to improve its situation," Yadlin said. "Iran is exploiting the weakness in the international theater, in anticipation of the new government in the US, in order to move forward on its nuclear program and to soften the network of international opposition."
"Despite the talks, not only has Damascus not lessened its cooperation with Hizbullah, it has actually stepped up its relationship with the organization."
does anyone (other than dhimmicrats and leftists) think Syria ever really wanted to combat Islamic terrorists and Islamic terrorism...
Pulsar,
There were people at the highest level of the Israeli government who believed Syria was ready to be pulled out of its Iranian-Hezbollah orbit. To me it proves not so much that these Israelis were stupid, but that they are so desperate for peace that they're capable of convincing themselves of anything.
Call it 'the myopia of wishful thinking'.
Barney(ruffled)Frank wants to help out by cutting our defense budget by 25%.
Regarding the diplomatic process with Syria, Yadlin said Assad was interested in an agreement with Israel on Syria's terms, but wanted to wait until after the US elections and the establishment of a new administration before moving anything forward.
They still don't get it. Bill Clinton made his best offer to the Palestinians as his term was coming to an end. It was rejected.
Bush didn't up the ante when he got into office. He pulled out of the game.
Now President Bush is doing all he can to (he thinks) burnish his legacy. This is the best time the Syrians have to negotiate.
I'm not looking forward to an Obama administration but those in the Middle East who are will likely be disappointed. They are clearly expecting him to hand them everything they want. It won't happen. It can't happen.
It's looking like the Palestinians aren't the only ones who never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity.
And Hizballah has proven itself an indispensible tool in undermining the control of the Lebanese government.
.........................
Actually, it's even worse than this. Hizballah is now, essentially, a *part* of the Lebanese government, with full veto power. The long term weakening and increasing dhimmification of that country has entered a new stage.
Lebanon, rather than serving as a staging ground for Jihad terrorism--being too weak to stop it--may soon become, like its puppetmasters Syria and Iran, a full terrorist state.
What the terrorists are doing, is surrounding Israel. When the main attack occurs, they will attack from all sides, and from the air, in the form of missiles mainly.
If this attack is allowed, or not fended off adequately, there will be a great slaughter in the land, and few prisoners taken.
I'm certain that Israels military is aware of this and are taking the proper steps, in spite of dhimmi politicians...
The Syrians are not interested in peace, they are just pretending so they can look good for the media.
Has Bashar Assad endorsed Obama for president yet? Maybe he will use reverse psychology instead.