US Envoy's Syria Peace Talk Claims Spark Israeli-Turkish Debate

U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Syria and Iraq, Tom Barras, revealed that Syrian President Ahmed Al-Shar' is prepared to reach understandings with Israel, potentially including a non-aggression pact that could lead to normalized relations. Barras made these remarks at the Global Security Forum in Doha, calling for an end to Israeli military operations inside Syria. He also warned of the risk of an unintended military confrontation between Israel and Turkey following airstrikes near the Turkish border.

These American proposals have ignited regional and international discussions, with varying interpretations from analysts regarding the situation on the ground and the stances of Israel, Turkey, and Syria. Mohannad Hafezoglu, an academic and political researcher from Istanbul, viewed Barras's statements as a clear U.S. pressure tactic aimed at Israel, reflecting Washington's desire to de-escalate regional tensions. Hafezoglu asserted that the Syrian president has demonstrated readiness for understandings that ensure border stability, questioning why Israel continues its incursions and escalatory policies. He assigned full responsibility to the current Israeli government, led by Benjamin Netanyahu, for obstructing peace opportunities, deeming Netanyahu's continued leadership a major obstacle to regional stability. Hafezoglu also highlighted Turkey's positive and supportive role, alongside Arab nations, in upholding Syrian sovereignty and stability, stating that relying on crises and militias will not alter the new reality imposed by regional states' will.

Conversely, Moshe Alad, a reserve colonel in the Israeli army and lecturer, expressed skepticism about the sincerity of these statements, arguing that genuine peace treaties are forged through positive actions, not political declarations. He explained that the Israeli security and political establishment believes the Syrian state has not yet established the necessary foundations for security, order, or adequate border control. Alad cited deep Israeli security concerns regarding the situation in Syria, including military build-ups and movements in the south, as well as the presence of factions Israel considers direct threats, potentially with regional backing. He emphasized that Israel's strategic security policy remains constant, irrespective of the prime minister, and ruled out any concessions on the Golan Heights or accepting settlements that do not guarantee absolute and stringent security for the northern borders.