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Iran and Hizbullah: Significance of the Arms Ship Interception

[Washington Institute for Near East Policy] Jeffrey White - While Iran has been sending arms to Hizbullah through Syria for years, the interception on Nov. 3, 2009, by Israeli naval forces of a ship carrying 500 tons of weapons from Iran has important military and political implications. Iranian arms supplies underwrite Hizbullah's political position in Lebanon, increase the risk for a conflict with Israel, and ensure that any such conflict will be more intense and lengthier than if Hizbullah lacked such support. Both Iran and Syria seek to increase Hizbullah's capability to wage sustained warfare against Israel. The Hizbullah buildup puts pressure on the deterrence measures established by Israel in the north since the 2006 war. Greater military capabilities also strengthen Hizbullah's political position in Lebanon, where its substantial military might exceeds that of the Lebanese Army itself. Even if Israel can impede the maritime flow of arms, no effective way exists, short of war, to stop arms shipments to Hizbullah directly from Syrian arms depots or by air from Iran to Damascus and then into Lebanon. The writer is a defense fellow at The Washington Institute.
2009-11-13 06:00:00
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