Marin Forum

This upcoming week talks will restart between Israel and Syria for the first time since 2000. The two sides will negotiate indirectly through Turkey. The key issue will be the fate of the Golan Heights as Syria wants all of it returned. Israel still views the Golan Heights as a key buffer zone from potentially hostile neighbors. The area is of particular strategic advantage since it’s hill tops provide a commanding position. The question remains whether anything will come out of these talks. Last time talks broke down over what Syria demanded and what Israel offered. This time demands are once again high. Syria wants Israel to return the Golan Heights while Israel wants Syria to cut ties with Iran and Hizbullah.

Unfortunately things are not that simple as each demand is extremely complex. Israel views the Golan Heights as integral to its national security. After all Israel has been involved in several wars with its neighbors since its creation after WWII. As long as regional powers such as Iran, Syria, and Hizbullah espouse threatening rhetoric, Israel will feel justified to hold onto its buffer zones such as the Golan Heights. Meanwhile, Syria feels equally threatened by Israel whether it be directly or indirectly through its allies such as the United States. The more Syria falls instep with Iran the more dependent it becomes on Iran for support and security. In other words Syria has been digging itself into a hole. If past trends were to continue Syria would have found it extremely difficult to cut ties with Iran and find new allies. Just as Israel sees the Golan Heights as necessary for its national security, Syria has become very reliant on Iran for its national security.

These are only some of the issues at stake, but they touch upon many of the national security issues that are important to both countries. Neither country will want to give up something that they view as vital to their national security, but if both can reach some sort of agreement than perhaps those elements will lose importance in their national security schemes. Furthermore, simply cooling down the rhetoric can go a long way in improving relations. In any event third parties, especially the United States, will be necessary to mediate the talks and promote peace. Any solution in the region will require political will, determination, and sacrifice.

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