by WorldTribune Staff, April 11, 2018
Israel has the capability to bring down Syrian President Bashar Assad, but if Russia were to join the battle, the United States would have to as well, a former Israeli Air Force general said.
“Israel is capable of dealing with many threats on its own – and if necessary, could deal with Assad’s regime, and even topple it,” Amos Yadlin, former head of the IDF Military Intelligence Directorate wrote in an April 11 op-ed for Arutz Sheva.
“However, if the escalation to open conflict with Iran continues, or brings in Russian interference – Israel will need U.S. aid. Here, too, the Israeli and American interests are similar. It’s very important to strategically coordinate with the U.S., in preparation for such a scenario.”
Yadlin noted that while Assad’s reported chemical weapons attack on the town of Douma and Israel’s attack on the T-4 airbase in Homs “seem to be separate” events, “they could consolidate into a very significant development.”
“Regarding an expected U.S. attack in Syria: U.S. President Donald Trump has a few options,” Yadlin wrote. “He can decide on a punitive act, such as the one last year. But true deterrence will be achieved only with a wide-scale and continuing operation. That is possible, but only if the strategic goals in Syria are widened to include, other than the conflict with ISIS, the goal of stopping Iran.”
Iran, meanwhile, “will respond to the alleged Israeli attack, even if not immediately, and even if not from Iran,” Yadlin wrote. “Possible options include Syria, Lebanon, or around the world, and in addition to their usual emissaries, they will want to include an official Iranian response to the murder of their soldiers, in an effort to deter Israel from further harming Iranian bases in Syria.”
Israel has said it will not allow Iran have a permanent military presence in Syria. Israel also seeks to cancel the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.
“Both of these goals are important to Israel, and they aim to prevent enormous dangers in the future, even if they include dangers in the present,” Yadlin wrote.
“We need to prepare for the next possible steps in this operation, including for our enemies’ response, and Iran’s possible establishment [in the area] in the future.”
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