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Source: https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5434522,00.html
Russia Is Unwilling to Allow Iran to Seize Syria as It Seized Lebanon
(Ynet News) Maj.-Gen. (res.) Giora Eiland - Israel's Syria strike last week targeted arms depots for Hizbullah and Iranian forces. Iran indeed aspires to entrench an anti-Israel presence in Syria, but is still far from reaching that goal. On the other hand, Iran has met all of its objectives as far as Lebanon is concerned. It may appear that Lebanon is an independent country, but reality paints a different picture. Iranian-backed Hizbullah is the sole military force in the country, telling the Lebanese army where to deploy its troops. Lebanon is effectively controlled by Iran. Russia, like Israel, is not interested in strengthening Iran in Syria. Moscow is unwilling to allow Iran to seize Syria as it seized Lebanon. Therefore, Russia will continue to display patience with Israeli strikes in Syria, as long as Israel hits Iranian targets. Russian rhetoric might be aggressive, but its reaction will be mild. Israel must inform the world that if Iran decides to activate Hizbullah against it, this would not only lead to another war with the terror organization, but also to an all-out conflagration between Israel and Lebanon. The writer is a former head of Israel's National Security Council.