ASSESSMENTS

The Missile Arsenal at the Heart of the Israeli-Iranian Rivalry

Aug 8, 2018 | 08:00 GMT

Palestinians from the armed wing of the Hamas movement, display Qassam home-made rockets during an anti-Israel military parade in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, Aug. 21, 2016.

Palestinians from the armed wing of the Hamas movement, display Qassam home-made rockets during an anti-Israel military parade in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, Aug. 21, 2016.

(SAID KHATIB/AFP/Getty Images)

Highlights

  • Iran and Hezbollah will continue efforts to enhance their missile and artillery capabilities by threatening Israel where it is most vulnerable; in the economic realm.
  • In response, Israel will seek to lobby Washington and Moscow to restrict Tehran's activities in Syria.
  • In the event of a war, Israel will seek to take a load off of its missile defense system by launching a ground incursion into Syria or Lebanon to destroy possible launch pads for Iranian or Hezbollah missiles as well as the projectiles themselves.

Following a string of recent successes, Syria's government is in a dominant position as the Syrian Civil War transitions to a new phase, while the two largest outside powers involved in the conflict – the United States and Russia – are beginning to look toward the exit as their primary foes lose ground. But even as the war appears to be winding down for some, it's beginning to ramp up for one key player: Israel. The increased Israeli activity in Syria stems from Israel’s priorities in the Levant, which differ greatly from those of the United States and Russia, as Israel views events in Syria and Lebanon primarily through the lens of its enmity with Iran. Tehran’s presence and influence in Syria has increased in parallel with the advances of its ally in Damascus, providing great cause for concern in Israel. And with foes like Iran and Hezbollah well-placed to...

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