Although there is no guarantee of success, a Syrian-Israeli peace accord would have very significant benefits—for the two countries themselves, and also for Lebanon, Iraq, and the possibility of Israeli-Lebanese and Israeli-Palestinian peace, and in curbing Iran’s influence in the region. It would also help open the way for activating the Arab peace initiative launched in 2002, and for contemplating a general peace between Israel and the countries of the Arab League. Any and all of these potential outcomes would be in the interest of the United States. …
The Obama administration should develop an integrated policy to push the Syrian-Israeli track forward. This policy should include a stick, carrots and active diplomacy. The stick would be a continuation of the Bush administration’s policy of pushing and keeping Syria out of Lebanon, and maintaining pressure on Syria as long as it violates Lebanese and Iraqi sovereignty. … The prize for Syria, of course, would be the return of the Golan Heights; the carrots would include ending Syria’s political isolation, and U.S. help in securing World Trade Organization accession and encouraging foreign direct investment. But the carrots must not include any compromise on Lebanese or Iraqi sovereignty, nor any deal on the Hariri Tribunal. …
Intelligent, strong diplomacy will also be needed to move the process forward. The issues between Israel and Syria are complex, and the challenge of shifting Syria’s strategic posture is even more demanding. Turkish prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has done an excellent job so far. But it will take a particularly gifted, fully empowered U.S. secretary of state or presidential envoy—and, eventually, direct presidential engagement—to achieve a breakthrough on the Syrian -Israeli track. Access the full article>>
