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How Significant Is the U.S. Withdrawal from Syria?

(Jerusalem Post) Prof. Elie Podeh - The withdrawal of the U.S. from Syria is not substantial militarily. A 2,000-soldier force, however efficient it may be, cannot significantly alter the balance of power. Yet the withdrawal of American forces from Syria still holds a symbolic and moral significance that will adversely affect not only the U.S. position in the region, but also its allies. The implications for Israel are not significant, since even prior to this withdrawal, the U.S. no longer played a major role in the Syrian playground. Israel's situation today is better because it maintains a dialogue with Russia. The fact that Russia and Iran do not necessarily share common interests in Syria may allow Israel to receive Russia's help in preventing Iran from being even more influential in a Russian-controlled territory. In any event, after seven years of bloody civil war that led to the destruction of the country, Syria poses no threat to Israel. Moreover, based on past experience, the Syrian regime has kept the situation at the Syrian-Israeli border quiet and stable. The writer teaches at the Department of Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
2018-12-28 00:00:00
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