Former U.S. Diplomat Warns of Israel’s Strategy in Syria
(MENAFN) In an interview published on Sunday, retired American diplomat James Jeffrey voiced strong concerns over Israel’s military operations in Syria.
He cautioned that the country’s current course of action could lead to further regional instability and threaten Syria’s national cohesion.
"It's not clear what Israel is trying to do in Syria, because it has a government that is dramatically opposed to the Iranian presence, having fought the Iranians for 14 years," stated Jeffrey during an exclusive conversation with a news agency in Washington.
Jeffrey, who previously served as the U.S. ambassador to Türkiye (2008–2010) and held the position of special envoy for Syria (2018–2020), questioned the strategic clarity behind Israel’s interventions.
According to Jeffrey, Israel has recently carried out heavy strikes against the Syrian regime. This prompted U.S. involvement, notably from Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who stepped in to facilitate a ceasefire.
“So the Israelis intervened, then struck very strongly at the Syrian government, and the US, in the form of Secretary (of State Marco) Rubio, had to intervene and to work a ceasefire, and for the moment, things are calm,” he explained.
Jeffrey emphasized that the central issue now is understanding Israel’s long-term objectives in Syria.
He highlighted the danger of Syria fracturing into separate autonomous regions—such as the Druze-controlled south, the Alawite west, and the Kurdish northeast—which could reignite internal conflict and pave the way for increased foreign and Iranian involvement.
“How that is in the interest of anybody in the region, beginning with Jerusalem, I don't know,” he remarked, expressing skepticism over the broader strategic benefits for Israel.
Describing the situation as highly complicated, Jeffrey urged Israel to reassess its policies in coordination with the U.S. “So it's a messy situation. Israel has to decide, with help from the United States, what it wants to do next with this government,” he concluded.
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