In light of the recent events between Israel and Lebanon, I'm wondering whether there isn't a greater geopolitical purpose being sought. Here are the pieces to the puzzle:
- US leaders have expressed enmity against the leaders of both Syria and Iran.
- Israel attacks Lebanon, which borders Syria.
- An American attack on Iran could well provoke a Syrian incursion into Iraq.
- If Syrian forces were "knocked out of the game", so to speak, the above risk would be nullified, making an attack on Iran more likely.
- Syrian leaders have expressed concern that the conflict between Israel and Hizbullah/Lebanon may spill into their territory.
Is it possible that the Israeli forces' attacks on Lebanon are really a stepping-stone to attacking Syrian forces? The idea would be to prevent a "Syrian Squeeze" on US military positions in Iraq following a preemptive strike on Iran. If US leaders are indeed planning for such a strike (as seems likely, I'm afraid), then we would do well to not view the current events in isolation.
Food for thought.
- Rob