Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/256515 
Year of Publication: 
2018
Series/Report no.: 
SWP Comment No. 27/2018
Publisher: 
Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik (SWP), Berlin
Abstract: 
Israel's containment policy vis-à-vis Iran in Syria has entered a new phase of direct confrontation aimed at achieving a decisive outcome on the ground. Israeli decision-makers now see a window of opportunity to remove Iran's long-term military presence in Syria through a combination of military and diplomatic means. Israel's approach is based on the assessment that this goal can be achieved while containing the fighting to the Syrian arena. Nevertheless, this new strategic attitude increases the likelihood of a spillover beyond the Syrian arena and into a regional conflict. Iran's military actions in Syria have demonstrated that its goals exceed the logic of defensive deterrence and are driven by an ambition to increase its offensive potential vis-à-vis Israel. Germany should take an active role in a coordinated effort by the E3 countries (Germany, France, and the United Kingdom) and Russia to pressure Iran to scale-down its military presence while providing it with a face-saving framework to protect its core political interests.
Document Type: 
Research Report

Files in This Item:
File
Size
206.9 kB





Items in EconStor are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.