“U.S Withdrawal From Syria Requires Strong and Active Israeli Involvement in Arab world”

by Luis Fleischman

“In order to curb Iranian, Russian and Turkish influence in the region, Israel and the Sunni states (Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Persian Gulf states) now have no choice but to cooperate. This alliance should now be expanded into a coalition with larger strategic goals. The dangers in the region are coming not only from an expanding Iranian subversive force in Syria, Iraq and Yemen, but also from an ambitious Islamist Turkey that could possibly become a Sunni version of Iran”

“Despite Israel’s military strength, its main security policy agenda has been based on protecting its own borders and trying to contain Iran. Israel has avoided taking sides in the Syrian civil war, so far dealing mainly with Russia for the purpose of restraining Iran and Hezbollah. With America’s withdrawal from Syria, the time has come for Israel to reconsider its defensive security policy and turn to a grand pro-active strategy”
“The Arab Spring has challenged the traditional forms of Arab authority and the regional order. New actors are emerging and maps are being redrawn… Those in the Arab world seeking to alleviate their suffering or enhance their freedoms would welcome any help, including help from Israel”

The U.S withdrawal from Syria is a very scary step. Even more frightening is the fact that President Donald Trump made that decision after receiving assurances from Turkish dictator Recep Tayip Erdogan that he will “finish off ISIS”.Erdogan’s pledge of course is far from credible, as he has enabled the sale of ISIS stolen oil through Turkish territory and is an enemy of the Syrian Kurds …

Published by Center for Security Policy on December 28, 2018

The opinions published herein are the sole responsibility of its author.

About Luis FleischmanDr. Luis Fleischman is a Senior adviser to the Menges Hemispheric Security Project at the Center for Security Policy in Washington DC. He is also an adjunct professor of Political Science and Sociology at Barry University He is the author of the book, “Latin America in the Post-Chavez Era: The Security Threat to the United States.” View all posts by Luis Fleischman →