Lebanon: Syrian Troops and Heightened Fears Along the Border

Some 10,000 Syrian troops have been deployed along Syria’s northern border with Lebanon, and Syrian President Bashar al Assad even attended a major military drill in the border area on Sept. 22. It is unclear whether Syria simply wants to pressure Saudi Arabia to concede influence in Lebanon, or if it actually intends to move forces into the country. In any case, instability in northern Lebanon is Syria’s most immediate objective.