Whatever plan Iran, Syria and their allies have for finally destroying Israel, I don't think it includes a nuclear strike. The nuclear weapons are just going to be used as an umbrella. But before they attack Israel they need to weaken it as much as they can strategically, and forcing it out of the Golan would be an enormous step in that direction. Now Iran has no grounds for negotiating Israel out of the Golan, but its ally Syria does, which is probably the only reason that the radical Shiite Ahmedinijaind keeps the Sunni Assad on his payroll anyway.

Judging from negative comments in talkbacks on previous articles on Syria and peace, it would appear that Syria hasn't done enough to engage the Israeli (and Jewish) public on the issue of peace. People don't seem to believe that Syria intends peace.

The Golan has been under Israel's control more than they've been under Syria. As for the history ... It was a part of British mandate borders of 1917 that was supposed to go to Israel. The Brits illegally ceded it to French in 1923... The French gave it to Syria 1946.. Syrian boundries were artificially created... It's as much illegitimate state as Jordan is... Golan is part of the Eretz Israel..

since 1967. The Israeli left and many Western liberals don't even begin to understand what the Arabs consider as 'benefits'.

(not Jerusalem) as a political analyst and business consultant", which probably affects the validity of his assessment of Israeli and Western interests. I wish him great business success.

For the past month, increasing more & more each day, Israelis and the world are being seduced into a political and geographical fantasy. The bottom line is: Hand over the Golan to Assad & HE will bring peace to the region. The only thing blocking the plan of course is Israel and Israelis who must sacrifice the Golan in exchange for "peace". Today we have two articles in YNET with a smiling Swiss and an "serious" Syrian. We know Lvni is on board too. So what will it take to get Israel in a newer and even more dangerous situation? Something way beyond the Arafat Trojan horse that was Oslo. Way beyond handing over Gaza to Hamas, allowing them to run in elections and win. Way beyond surrendering to Nasrallah and Ahmadinejad. Well...how about putting Syria in the Golan....but of course we will call it an Israeli "peace park".

Is it any wonder why he/she wants Israel to relinquish control of territory which was won legitimately in a war. Israel forking over endless concessions to its enemies would surely improve Newman's job as a business consultant in the Arab world, but would certainly not improve Israel's security by leaving it with indefensible borders.

Prescient and precise as always

And if you don't have a clue about Assad's denomination you don't understand Assad or Syria. But you have company. For example, the author of this article doesn't think it pertinent to mention that the West can't offer an Allowite family dictatorship in Syria more security against its Sunni majority than can Iran's Shia Mullahocracy, because both the Mullahocracy and Assad share a fear of Sunni supremacy that the West doesn't.

If Syria is so interested in peace why is it supporting the overthrow of Sinora gov't in Lebanon, supporting a arming Hezbollah, and supporting terrorists in Gaza and the West Bank? If Syria wants peace with Israel the way is simple:, forswear terror, stop being an arms conduit and harboring terrorists, and ACT like a country that wants peaceful relations with its neighbor. Furthermore, Syria, not Israel should give up land for peace. After all, Israel has held the Golan for over 40 years which is about as long as the land was in Syrian hands from the English/French division of the Ottoman Empire. Syrians barely live there and it's strategically imperative for Israel to have this area. They gave up land for peace with Turkey, why not with Israel? It's time Israel got some benefits for winning 6 wars against these people.

Whatever the theory, on the ground theres a sea change going on in the relationship between Iran and Syria. Unlike Ahmadinejad Assad is cautious and calculating and is increasingly getting caught off balance and alarmed by Irans rhetoric which might well like the Lebanon fiasco draw Syria into a war not of her choosing. Assad feels that his foreign policy is being undermined by Iran and that this relationship is increasingly fraught with risk as Iran slides nearer to war. Besides that the military in Iran in particular talk of the Syrian regime with complete disdain, describing Assad as a freak, even one who cannot be trusted. So its not outside forces that will drive Iran and Syria apart but Syrias own unease at being an ally to this failed state.

Hey dummy, who wants the Golan, we want the whole of Palestine.The days of "milk and honey" is over.

People are getting the wrong impressions that Syris is terribly in open for negotiation at all cost.This ridiculous, Syria knows who needs help most and act accordingly.And who said Syria is isolated, with all diplomats and high ranking politician crowding its corridors.Its America and Israel who needs Syria's intervention to save their hubris.Don't you people read the news???

We have been saying this since a long time in Egypt. Well said Terry

The "west" has no idea about the divisions within Islam. They've also no idea that the Assad family are members of a small sect in Syria. To my great irritation - I supported the Iraqi invasion - it appears that the Bush administration also had no idea that there were religious constituencies involved.