Target Damascus

The likelihood of Syrias chemical weapons falling into the wrong hands has been the focus of intervention debates. The transfer of conventional weapons anti-aircraft missiles,anti-shipping missiles,long-range ground-to-ground missiles to Hezbollah,however,is Israels proclaimed red line in Syria,akin to the US red line on chemical weapons. There are grounds to suspect the use of chemical weapons,and theres evidence of Iran shipping arms to its ally Hezbollah via its other regional ally,Assads Syria. Hezbollah fighters have also reportedly joined the civil war on Assads side. There are concerns that,as Assads regime crumbles,he might transfer his weapons to Hezbollah.

Notwithstanding these dangers,the risks of Israeli involvement in Syria are immense. It could escalate the civil war into a full fledged regional conflict if Hezbollah retaliates. That would be ironic,since the intent was to mitigate Hezbollahs capacity to strike. As it happens,the attacks have drawn wide regional disapproval. Time is running out for US President Barack Obama,who is perceived to be overcautious,to decide on the next course of action on Syria.