While Israel and other countries are scratching their heads trying to understand Russia’s intentions in the region in light of its recent pronouncements on Russia’s interceptions of Israeli missiles in Syria, attention is focusing increasingly on the troubling developments in Lebanon.
Israel’s alleged attacks on Iranian targets in Syria in recent years appear to have run their course and accomplished as much as they can in blocking Iran’s entrenchment there, although its presence there remains. Israel’s eyes are now turning to the starving, divided country on its northern border — Lebanon — which would serve as the most likely launchpad for a future war with Israel. Israel believes that the greater the domestic deterioration in Lebanon, the more destructive will be Hezbollah’s firepower if it opts for war with Israel.
