The fall of the Assad regime in Syria has set off a chain reaction of change across the Middle East, culminating in direct peace talks between Syria and Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed this stunning development on Sunday, adding that the new environment, shaped by Israel’s war with Hezbollah, could also lead to peace with Lebanon.
The first link in the chain was the collapse of the Syrian government, a long-time Israeli foe and supporter of Hezbollah. The next link was the decision by the new Syrian leadership to break with the past and enter into negotiations with Israel. A Syrian official has said they hope to forge the final link—a security agreement—by year’s end.
This chain reaction is also impacting Lebanon. With its key ally in Damascus gone, Hezbollah is more isolated. This has empowered the Lebanese government, with U.S. backing, to initiate the process of disarming the militia, a move it had long resisted.
Netanyahu described how these events are interconnected. “Our victories in Lebanon against Hezbollah have opened a window,” he said, suggesting the war was a key catalyst in this chain reaction. He confirmed the talks with Syria are making “some progress.”
The effects of this chain reaction are now clearly visible. Syria is negotiating a demilitarized zone along its border with Israel. Lebanon is planning to deploy its army to disarm Hezbollah in the south. A sequence of events that started with a political collapse could end in a historic peace.
