A fundamental paradigm shift is occurring on Israel’s northern front, with the nation now in active peace talks with its long-time foe, Syria. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced this on Sunday, adding that this shift, which he attributes to the war with Hezbollah, also extends to creating a possibility of peace with Lebanon.
For decades, the paradigm was one of containment and deterrence against a hostile Syrian regime. The ouster of Bashar al-Assad has shattered this old model, replacing it with one of direct engagement and negotiation. A Syrian official has confirmed that the goal is to finalize security pacts by the end of the year.
In Lebanon, the old paradigm was a state-within-a-state, with Hezbollah holding the real power in the south. The new paradigm Israel is trying to foster is one of a strong, sovereign Lebanese state. Continued military strikes on Hezbollah and diplomatic pressure on Beirut are the tools being used to effect this change.
“The possibility of peace with our northern neighbours… was not even imagined before,” Netanyahu said, describing the magnitude of this paradigm shift. He confirmed that talks with the new Syrian leadership are underway and showing “some progress.”
This new model is already being implemented. Syria is negotiating the creation of a demilitarized zone in exchange for an Israeli withdrawal from certain areas. The Lebanese government has formally begun the process of disarming Hezbollah, a move that would represent a major shift in the country’s internal power balance.
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