碰撞：避免以色列与“抵抗轴心”之间的战争

ON A COLLISION COURSE:AVOIDING A WAR BETWEENISRAEL AND THE AXIS OFRESISTANCEDANIEL SOBELMANDECEMBER 22,2017COMMENTARYWhile much of the worlds attention has focused in recent weeks on the escalating tensions between two of the MiddleEasts geopolitical rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran a powerful clash of interests is unfolding between Iran and anotherregional heavyweight,Israel.The crux of the matter is Israels concern that as the Syrian conflict approaches its finalstages,Iran will be able to enhance and cement its military presence in the country in a way that will inevitably threatenIsraeli interests.Irans plans to set up permanent military bases and build weapons production plants in Syria are thusplacing Israel and Iran on a dangerous collision course.Friction is already evident:On Dec.2,Israeli fighter jets targeteda military compound south of Damascus,in which Iran planned to permanently station hundreds of troops.Two days