The United States defended Israel this week in the wake of reports that the Israelis bombed advanced missiles in Syria, amid concerns the missiles were destined for a global terrorist group. The New York Times reported that US officials said the missiles—which included missiles that can reach all of Israel—were believed to be headed to Hezbollah in Lebanon.
If true, it adds yet another complication to the already chaotic Syrian civil war, as the US, Europe and Israel must be concerned about a desperate Syrian regime transferring sophisticated weapons to its terrorist allies. Advanced weapons would empower and potentially embolden Hezbollah, increasing the risk of war with Israel and strengthening global terrorism.
Hezbollah already provoked a war with Israel in 2006, before it had received advanced weaponry. The Israelis were apparently so concerned about the terror group receiving the new missiles they risked conflict with Syria to prevent it.
War in the Middle East often results in higher oil prices, directly impacting Americans and Europeans. According to the OPEC website, Middle East oil rose in price slightly over the weekend, amid just the limited spike in tensions from the incident. A broader war made possible by a strengthened Hezbollah would cause an even greater impact.
Furthermore, Hezbollah could threaten Americans and Europeans themselves. The terror group is suspected of attempting terror attacks around the world, including a bus bombing targeting Israelis in the European nation of Bulgaria.
That may be why the US backs Israel’s right to defend itself. Speaking in general terms following the alleged strike in Syria, an unnamed US official was quoted by a State Department press release as saying, “As a general policy rule, we view the Israelis as having a justifiable need to defend themselves against transfers of advanced weaponry to terrorist groups like Hezbollah.”
(By Joshua Spurlock, www.themideastupdate.com, May 7, 2013)