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Analysis: Israelis, Rice Consider Peacekeeping Force

Council on Foreign Relations

Updated: July 24, 2006
Prepared by: CFR.org Staff

As Lebanon suffers under continuing rounds of Israeli air strikes and the United Nations, Europe, and other international players demand Israel curb its attacks (BBC), the violence cast a new light on the role played by Iran and Syria. Israel's defense minister says the country will consider deploying an international force (LAT) on the southern Lebanese border, and a new U.S. diplomatic initiative in the region (NYT), spearheaded by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, reportedly aims to convince Syria's Arab allies to urge Damascus to reexamine the long-term implications of the aid it provides for Iran's stalking horse, Hezbollah (AP). Several Arab states already have expressed concern about the new power of Shiism in the region, from Iraq's new government to Hezbollah to Iran itself. Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak reiterated his anger at Iranian involvement (Ynet) in stirring the separate Hamas-Israeli violence in Gaza. CFR President Richard N. Haass says the Middle East is entering a new era in which "external powers count for less, and local actors—be they states or militias or individuals—count for more" (NYT).

In fact, Bill Samii of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty writes that Tehran and Damascus have been involved in this crisis from its outset. The two countries, whose relationship is examined in this Backgrounder, are exploiting the crisis to try to increase their regional influence. Don Darling notes in the Weekly Standard that Hezbollah's recent use of the Iranian-produced Raad-1 missile threatens 2 million Israelis, and leaves no doubt about Tehran's involvement in the violence.

Read the rest of this article on the cfr.org website.

Copyright 2006 by the Council on Foreign Relations. This material is republished on GlobalSecurity.org with specific permission from the cfr.org. Reprint and republication queries for this article should be directed to cfr.org.