Part 7/12:
Another significant development is Israel’s tentative outreach to Syria, once considered unlikely due to mutual hostility and the Assad regime’s extremist alignment. Recent months have seen signs of cautious cooperation, primarily driven by shared opposition to Iran’s regional influence. Franceman mentions reports of ongoing intelligence coordination and even arrests of Iranian-linked cells near the Golan Heights, indicating emerging, albeit limited, cooperation.
The shifting regional calculus is shaped by the realization that Iran remains a common adversary for Israel and its neighbors, including Syria. Nonetheless, broader normalization remains distant, with concerns over Iran’s continued offensive capabilities—especially its missile programs and proxies—looming large.