From the Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center in Israel comes this new Zionist assessment of Iran’s recent successes in Syria and Iraq.
What does the report tell us?
As President Trump, John Bolton, and Mike Pompeo pursue a confrontational policy with Iran, the Islamic republic is doing rather well in the region. The report illuminates why Iran’s successes are provoking a hostile response from the budding alliance of the United States, Saudi Arabia, and Israeli.
The publications of the ITIC are broadly representative of views held by Israeli foreign intelligence officials. Meir Amit served as chief of the Mossad in the 1960s.
Spotlight on Iran notes:
- Iran intervened militarily in Syria to repel Sunni fundamentalists funded by the Saudis–and they have prevailed. Iran now stands to benefit from coming international reconstruction contracts. ISIS and U.S.-backed anti-Assad forces are now cornered in Idlib. Meanwhile, Iranian construction firms are exploring deals in Damascus.
- Iran has always had deep and wide commercial and cultural ties to Iraq. Pro-Iranian parties did well in recent elections. American influence in Iraq is waning and Iran’s is waxing.
Fifteen years after the disastrous U.S. invasion of Ira,, Iran is solidifying its power across the region.
Iran does not pose much of a threat to the United States. As Tucker Carlson notes the Iranian government has been blamed for zero attacks on U.S. citizens since 9/11.
Iran’s new strength in Syria does pose a threat to Israel, specifically to control of Golan Heights, and to Saudi financial power. So Tel Aviv and Riyadh are encouraging President Trump to do what he promised he would not do: fight a Middle East war.
