Could Syria keep out of a new war between Hizbullah and Israel?
The Assad regime has little interest in getting involved in the next war. Many analysts believe that if Syria gets involved, it could put the Asad regime’s hold on power at risk. More likely, like 2006, Bashar Assad would prefer to stand on the sidelines, cheer Hizballah on, and then take credit for the “divine victory.” Sitting it out this time, however, will be more difficult. Syria has drawn closer to Iran and Hizballah since 2006, and has publicly pledged to join the fighting to defend the resistance next time. So the Assad regime just might be shamed into fighting, which of course, would make the war more costly for all sides. Would such a strike be seen as the end of the current Peace Process? It’s unclear what kind of blow Israel could inflict on the Iranian nuclear program or on Hizballah-or how much damage Israel would want to do to Syria and the Asad regime. Should Syria, Hizballah, and Iran-emerge weaker from a confrontation it would be a blow to Hamas and regional militancy
