The strategic alliance between Syria and Iran is exactly the reason why [Defense Minister Ehud] Barak, IDF Chief of General Staff Lt.-Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi and Military Intelligence chief Maj.-Gen. Amos Yadlin have been pushing for the past three years to launch peace negotiations with Syria. … [The IDF] believes that it has more to benefit from peace with Syria than it does from keeping the Golan Heights.
Since taking up his current post three years ago, Ashkenazi has been a silent proponent of peace talks with Damascus. He backed the previous government’s indirect peace talks with the Syrians in Turkey and has said on more than one occasion that in his opinion, a peace treaty with Syria could have a positive ripple effect through the region and help isolate Iran and stabilize Lebanon. Together with Yadlin, Ashkenazi believes that peace with Damascus would further isolate Tehran and increase the chance of diplomacy stopping its nuclear program. With the right assurances, peace could also cut off the supply of weaponry to Hamas and Hezbollah, two Iranian proxies that currently enjoy full Syrian support. Access the full article>>
