Israel's Objectives in Syria: Scorched Earth Policy?

By: A. Yeganeh

Through the Middle East's modern history; the collapse of the Syrian government marks an inflection point of profound significance with ramifications reverberating far beyond the Levant. This sudden dissolution of Syrian democratically-elected government--precipitated by the Syrian army’s successive retreats over a mere ten days-- has plunged the Arab nation and the broader region into uncertainty leaving Syrians to speculate about their country's future. Amid this chaos the Israeli regime historically one of Syria’s principal adversaries has swiftly mobilized its military to exploit the political vacuum in Damascus.

Its incursions into Syrian-controlled Golan Heights--in particular occupying Jabal al Sheikh [also known as Mount Hermon] --signaled the accomplishment of a meticulously orchestrated strategy. To deconstruct the Israeli regime’s objectives for Syria’s future one must examine the underlying motivations and strategic imperatives driving its actions.

The Expansion of a Buffer Zone: A Perennial Strategy

Since 1976 the Israeli regime has relentlessly pursued the establishment of a buffer zone under the pretext of safeguarding its shaky security.

This stratagem enshrined in the occupation of the Golan Heights--indisputably Syrian territory under international law--has long served as a cornerstone of Israeli policy. The recent upheavals in Syria coupled with the ensuing vacuum of authority present an opportune moment for Israel to extend this buffer zone further into Syrian territory. Such territorial aggrandizement ostensibly serves dual purposes: bolstering Israel’s security by preemptively neutralizing potential threats from resistance groups and securing greater access to critical natural resources.

The occupied territories’ diminutive geographical scope has left Israel perennially deficient in key resources particularly water. By expanding its control over Syrian territory the Israeli regime seeks to rectify these deficiencies exploiting Syria’s resource-rich lands to augment its strategic reserves. This territorial expansion is a thinly veiled exercise in resource acquisition and geopolitical hegemony.

The Scorched Earth Policy: Eviscerating Syria’s Defense Capabilities

In tandem with territorial expansion the Israeli regime has embarked on a campaign of targeted destruction against Syria’s military and critical infrastructure. This scorched earth strategy is designed to emasculate the defensive capabilities of any future Syrian government ensuring that Syria remains incapable of mounting meaningful resistance. By obliterating Syria’s defense apparatus Israel guarantees unfettered dominion over Syrian airspace thereby mitigating the risk of retaliatory strikes or coordinated military action from allied powers such as Iran.

This sinister dismantling of Syria’s military capabilities also signals Israel’s broader strategic calculus: to preemptively disarm a potential adversary while fortifying its own position as the region’s unchallenged military hegemon. The regime’s precision and ruthlessness in executing this plan underscore the absence of effective resistance within Syria’s fragmented armed factions which are too preoccupied with internecine strife to mount a unified response.

A Warning to Regional Actors: An Exercise in Realpolitik

Beyond its immediate objectives in Syria the Israeli regime’s actions serve as a tacit warning to neighboring states particularly Jordan and Egypt. These nations by virtue of their geographical proximity and historical entanglements possess latent capacities to support Palestinian resistance movements.

However; their acquiescence to Western and Israeli geopolitical agendas has rendered them complicit in the suppression of such resistance.

Israel’s military operations in Syria are an unambiguous message to these regimes: dissenting from Israeli policies invites existential peril. The specter of Syria’s disintegration serves as a cautionary tale compelling Jordan and Egypt to further marginalize resistance movements within their borders. This capitulation ensures that any nascent efforts to challenge Israeli hegemony are stifled at inception consolidating Israel’s position as the key player of regional dynamics.

Conclusion: The Strategic Calculus of Israeli Ambitions

In summation the Israeli regime’s recent maneuvers in Syria exemplify a multifaceted strategy aimed at territorial expansion resource acquisition and the neutralization of regional resistance. The collapse of the Syrian government has presented Israel with an unprecedented opportunity to advance these objectives with minimal resistance. However; the implications of these actions extend beyond Syria reshaping the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East and reinforcing Israel’s dominance.

To the extent that the international community and regional actors remain passive the Israeli regime’s ambitions will continue to metastasize. The Iran-led Axis of Resistance must recalibrate its strategies to mitigate the long-term costs of this tragedy. Failure to do so will not only entrench Israeli hegemony but also pave the way for further foreign interventions particularly under the aegis of Western powers seeking to exploit the region’s instability. In this precarious moment vigilance and strategic foresight are imperative to counteract the Israeli regime’s designs and preserve the independence and dignity of the region’s nations.