Posted on 05/26/2008 5:12:45 AM PDT by forkinsocket
I think the Syrians are still getting ready for the next war. Not too sure that anyone else will participate. If Assad Light can get the Golan without firing a shot, the buildup will begin without delay, and include immediate occupation of the Golan by the Hizzies from Lebanon.
Olmert is the one who is delusional. All that’s needed is to look at how the “Road Map” and every other attempt at agreements and concessions have been DOA so far as winning Israel any real peace is concerned. Israel should announce that nothing will ever budge from current de facto borders until/unless the Arab side has ALREADY proved its commitment to real peace, ending terrorism and all incitement to terrorism and Jew-hatred. Israel could completely change the dynamics of the discussion simply by making clear that not an inch of concession will ever be discussed again until the Arab sides are already demonstrating a genuine commitment to peacemaking.
As for the Golan Heights, they do have enormous strategic value as a buffer zone and for denying Syrian artillery high ground within range of a substantial Israeli population. Israel should never discuss any concession on Golan unless Syria is already transformed into a peace-making regime, which is pretty hard to imagine now. Giving the current Syrian regime Golan is (roughly) like France allowing Hitler back into the Rhineland in 1936, so that there was no longer any strategic buffer, allowing the surprise attack through Belgium in May 1940.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.