An update to our recent special report on Syria: Maariv‘s Jonathon Ariel says the reason for the recent pressure on Syria from both the Israelis and Americans has less to do with Syria’s interference in Lebanese elections or calling terror shots in Israel, than it does with Iranian/al-Qaeda efforts to establish a foothold in Lebanon (by outsting Arafat’s Fatah leaders in camps there) and among Palestinians in the West Bank/Gaza.
It was these developments that have prompted the renewed demands on Syria to withdraw from Lebanon. Once the Syrian military leaves Lebanon, Beirut can begin reasserting its sovereignty, bringing Hezbullah to heel. Without Hezbullah, Iran loses its Lebanese base, hence by challenging Syria the US is issuing a new challenge to Iran, after having called its bluff by going after al Sadr’s ragtag Mehdi army.
