以色列与叙利亚叛军的关系日益加深

ISRAELS DEEPENINGINVOLVEMENT WITH SYRIASREBELSELIZABETH TSURKOVFEBRUARY 14,2018COMMENTARYAs it becomes clear that Bashar al-Assad has stabilized his rule over the ruins of Syria,outside powers are steppingup their intervention in the country in an effort to shape an outcome that will secure their interests.Israel,which hasremained relatively less involved than other actors,is now faced with regional rivals Iran and its proxies that havenever been more powerful and emboldened.Israel is left to defend its interests with targeted airstrikes and by supportingragtag rebel militias in southern Syria whose interests partially align with those of the Jewish state.Interviews I have conducted with dozens of rebels,activists and civilians in southern Syria indicate growing Israeliinvolvement there.Israels increased entanglement stems from a growing realization that Russia and the United Statesare unwilling or unable to deal with Irans growing clout in Syria.However,this deeper involvement has createdexpectations among civilians and rebels in southern Syria of open-ended Israeli support,an expectation Israel is unlikely