The outcome of the uprising in Syria has the potential to revolutionize Israel’s relations with her neighbors and turn the Middle East upside down for the better – if the current Syrian leader, Bashar Assad, survives. It would, however, require the type of foresight and deft diplomacy rarely seen anywhere these days, let alone in the Middle East.
Until today the Syrian regime, first under the rule of Hafez Assad and now his son Bashar, has been a sworn enemy of Israel. It went to war with Israel in 1948, 1967, and 1973 (and lost every time); and while Israel’s other neighbors, and former enemies, Jordan and Egypt, signed peace agreements, Syria never did. The Assad regime has also been a strong supporter of the terrorist groups Hamas and Hezbollah, and is a prime ally of Iran – all declared enemies of Israel. The U.S. is also a primary foe.
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