By Ryan Jones, Israel Today—
Israel’s defense establishment reacted with surprise and a degree of concern on Thursday to US President Donald Trump’s announcement that ISIS had been defeated, and that American forces would therefore be leaving Syria.
In fact, the withdrawal of the US military from Syria began even as Trump was delivering his “victory” speech.
Recently-resigned Israel Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman said the move had the potential to spark a major regional war. “The withdrawal of the US from Syria significantly raises the chance of an all-out conflict in the north — both in Lebanon and Syria,” he told Israel Radio.
Liberman insisted that the Americans leaving the area would embolden the regime of Syrian dictator Bashar Assad and his Iranian and Hezbollah allies. That assessment was shared by many senior Israeli officials. Continue Reading….
