Syria and Israel: Unlikely Allies Against Hezbollah

The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah continues despite an official ceasefire, with Israel conducting airstrikes on Hezbollah positions in Lebanon and Hezbollah retaliating with rocket fire into northern Israel. Ahmad Sharawi from the Foundation for Defense of Democracies posits that post-Assad Syria might emerge as an unexpected ally for Israel in its efforts against Hezbollah, as both share a vested interest in curbing Hezbollah's rearmament. The Syrian government perceives Hezbollah as a threat due to its historical backing of the Assad regime during the civil war and its ongoing activities that take advantage of Syria's instability for arms smuggling. There have been instances of collaboration between Israel and Syria, particularly in efforts to dismantle smuggling tunnels, suggesting potential for cooperation despite the absence of a formal peace agreement. The United States could play a role in brokering a security agreement between Israel and Syria, which might involve intelligence sharing to tackle mutual threats, especially from Hezbollah. For Syria's new government, aligning with Israel carries risks, as establishing open relations is often contentious in the Arab world, influenced by prevailing public sentiment against Israel.