Iran-Backed Advance In Southern Syria Rattles Israel

[Purveyor]

As Iran nuclear talks near a deadline, Shiite forces are on the move near the Golan Heights, potentially pitting Iranian forces against those of Israel.

By Nicholas Blanford, Correspondent March 6, 2015

Beirut, Lebanon — The Golan Heights, one of Israel’s quietest frontiers, is showing signs of becoming an active front that could soon bring the forces of arch-enemies Iran and Israel into direct contact for the first time.

For nearly a month, Lebanon’s militant Hezbollah organization and other Shiite forces under Iranian command have been inching their way across a belt of southern Syria in a bid to drive out rebel forces fighting the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, an important Iranian ally.

If the offensive is successful, it could leave Iranian forces and their Shiite allies in control of the Syrian side of the Golan. And from that vantage point, Tehran could gain an additional means of deterrence against Israel in the remaining months before the June 30 deadline for negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program.

“The Iranians through Hezbollah really do wish to complete this encirclement from the north [of Israel] now that they have access to the Golan.… I think that is a key strategic move for them,” says Phillip Smyth, a researcher at the University of Maryland and author of the Hizballah Cavalcade blog, which focuses on Shiite militarism in the Middle East.

Israel is eyeing with increasing concern the Iranian moves on the Golan, which was occupied by the Jewish state in the 1967 Arab-Israeli war. The offensive leaves Israel in a bind and creates the possibility that if it miscalculates in its response, it could ignite a region-wide war.

more...

http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle-East/2015/0306/Iran-backed-advance-in-southern-Syria-rattles-Israel

[Mosby]

1. this will be ignored here.

[Purveyor]

2. Many important issues are 'ignored' around this place now days.

It isn't what it used to be, that's for sure...

[bemildred]

5. Given the number of people enraged about some issue or another, you can't be too careful.

I know I ignore a lot of stuff because I already know how the argument goes.

And any time they spin up the Mighty Wurlitzer or send us perception management teams, there is fuck-all you can do as far as conversation anyway.

[quadrature]

3. starting Syria on fire.. worth it, or bad move?

just curious what others think.

[Purveyor]

4. Iraq, Libya, et al. redux. eom

[roamer65]

6. Just wait until they link up with Iranian forces heading westward.

That is when the shitpot will blow.

[KoKo]

7. Interesting Read...Thanks...

for Peace