What kind of “Bilad al-Sham” can emerge in the shadow of a Syria unable to confront its own sectarian demons or rein in its mercenaries? Unless the cryptic remark dropped by U.S. envoy Tom Barrack hinted at a fragmentation of the region into a mosaic of identity-based tribes, there is no conceivable scenario in which Israel would tolerate — let alone endorse — the prospect of a “Greater Syria” that includes Lebanon, right on its border.Barrack had barely packed up his files and somewhat far-fetched warnings when Syrian Bedouins — apparently backed by government forces — launched a vile attack on the Druze community of Sweida, destroying in the process a church dedicated to Saint Michael the Archangel.Ironically, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced that the Israeli army would “operate with force” in the targeted region to...
What kind of “Bilad al-Sham” can emerge in the shadow of a Syria unable to confront its own sectarian demons or rein in its mercenaries? Unless the cryptic remark dropped by U.S. envoy Tom Barrack hinted at a fragmentation of the region into a mosaic of identity-based tribes, there is no conceivable scenario in which Israel would tolerate — let alone endorse — the prospect of a “Greater Syria” that includes Lebanon, right on its border.Barrack had barely packed up his files and somewhat far-fetched warnings when Syrian Bedouins — apparently backed by government forces — launched a vile attack on the Druze community of Sweida, destroying in the process a church dedicated to Saint Michael the Archangel.Ironically, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced that the Israeli army would “operate with force” in the...
