(New York Times) Efraim Halevy - Events in Syria could result in a strategic debacle for the Iranian government. Iran's foothold in Syria enables the mullahs in Tehran to pursue their reckless and violent regional policies - and its presence there must be ended. Ensuring that Iran is evicted from its regional hub in Damascus would cut off Iran's access to its proxies (Hizbullah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza) and visibly dent its domestic and international prestige. Iran has poured a vast array of resources into the country. There are Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps encampments and Iranian weapons and advisers throughout Syria. And Iranian-controlled Hizbullah forces from Lebanon have joined in butchering the Syrians who have risen up against Assad. The writer, a former Israeli national security adviser and ambassador, was director of the Mossad from 1998 to 2002.
2012-02-08 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive