from the article- concluding remarks:
"V
iolent jihadists rule Syria. Upon the collapse of Assad’s regime, Israel thus immediately set up a defense perimeter, despite the unreasonable demands and objections of its Arab neighbors, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, as well as those of the UN, which condemned Israel for a supposed “dangerous land grab in Syria.” Of course, it was not a land grab, but about protecting the Jewish state from more jihadist attacks.
Whatever the reason for welcoming former al-Qaeda commander al-Sharaa to the White House, it is an insult to the massive number of victims that al-Sharaa and his forces murdered, assaulted and pillaged.
The manipulative al-Sharaa is a jihadist — and he has managed to pull off a substantial victory, not only for himself personally, but for the global jihad."
My thoughts- this article is right on the money!
When we look from the viewpoint of Israel, we see the enemies of Israel lined up with this jihadist Al-Queda ISIS leader.
Qatar and Saudi Arabia are notable in the way those two plus Iraq, Iran and the UN condemned Israel for putting up a defensive perimeter when this guy came to power in Syria. Christmas of '24. Just last Christmas! Feels like a century now.
Not surprisingly these 2 -Qatar and Saudi Arabia are very busy working with the US administration on the post Gaza situation. Here was one of our threads last Sunday
Saudi crown prince prepares sweeping Middle East peace plan for Trump
as the crown prince presents his peace plan ideas - which just to keep in mind he and KUSHNER worked on with the assistance of Witkoff. Not surprising, as MBS the Saudi Crown Prince is a friend and business partner of Kushner (Trump's son in law) and helped out with that Peace Plan that launched at the same time as Covid, not to mention the Abraham Accords which took it's place.
Funny how the Saudi's have never actually signed onto the Abraham Accords, but they do use it when it suits them. Same with Qatar. But they have a LOT to say about Gaza and how Israel should approach peace. And both countries are closely tied to the Trump family businesses and finances.
The UAE and Bahrain were the first to sign, followed by Sudan and Morocco both of whom got significant benefits from the US for signing, then Kazakhstan this week signed or is about to.
I don't know what Kazakhstan gets out of it but Sudan got it's terrorist sanctions lifted, and Morocco got the weight of the US behind a border dispute, giving them the rights to a disputed border region. In return they promise to be nice to Israel, exchange diplomats and consider good business deals between themselves and Israel. They hold the power to leave the accords, while Israel is vulnerable to pressure to maintain the accords despite not really getting much out of it.
The US administration wants Saudi Arabia, Syria!!!! and Lebanon to sign but none of these last 3 have ever signed on.
Saudi Arabia IS the birthplace for Wahabi Islam which gave rise to 911, ISIS and Al Quaeda. The king (MBS's dad) still lives, and is an enemy of Israel. MBS walks a tightrope there. Plenty of other princes to take his place as Crown Prince and successor to the throne.
Lebanon IS the HQ for Hezbollah, funded by Iran. And the peace is shaky there. Hezbollah is rising again, in the areas Israel was forced to vacate (southern Lebanon) and it's looking like Israel will have to go in and clean it up again. So much for that peace!
Syria IS the birthplace of ISIS as an offshoot of AlQuaeda. At least Assad was somewhat reasonable to the Christians under his regime. In comparison to this new guy that will visit at the White House. Since Christmas Al Shaaraa wiped out the Alawites, he is trying to wipe out the Druze, and he is wiping out the Christians. In less than a year since he toppled Assad.
Quite a year for Al Shaaraa - topples Asssad, wipes out a bunch of religions he doesn't agree with and now he's wearing a nice suit, and coming to visit the White House.
Wonder what's happening with Israel's defensive perimeter as a result. Because Israel didn't do that just to protect the Druze although that was part of it. Israel is concerned. They should be.
I get why the Administration wants those 3- Saudi Arabia, Lebanon and Syria to sign on because that would significantly increase chances for peace in the region, but the problem with all the Accords is the same. When you bring these enemies of Israel into agreements for a price, they aren't really in it from a heartfelt desire for peace with Israel and as soon as the USA loses power in their estimation, all bets, all agreements all the accords are OFF.
Israel has ALWAYS wanted peace. Her enemies have always wanted her annihilation. Israel has always been most vulnerable when her desire for peace is exploited.