Source: Ynetnews, 2-1-2007
Tel Aviv University's 2005-2006 Middle East Strategic Balance survey discusses lack of progress in the Palestinian arena, American failure in Iraq, Syrian peace overtures, Iranian nuclear threat, consequences of second Lebanon war
The Middle East Strategic Balance 2005-2006 survey said, "The Lebanon war actualized `Israel`s` strategic problems and instability, damaged its deterring image, and exposed `Israeli` Army weakness in decision making in `Israel`."
The survey was written by experts at Tel Aviv University's Middle East Strategic Studies Institute.
Failures in Iraq, Lebanon rooted in twisted religious perception
Security and stability threats in the Middle East worsened during the past year. According to the survey, this was due to lack of progress in the Palestinian arena, lack of achievements in the struggle against world terror and radical Islam, and the American failure to stabilize the situation in Iraq.
The institute also stated that the failure in Iraq hurt the United States' position and that "Israel" had nothing to gain from the American presence in Iraq.
With regards to Syria, the survey said that Damascus was in a strategically weak position, and was trying to better its position by taking steps in suggesting negotiations with "Israel".
The researchers also pointed out that even if there was a doubt as to Syrian President Bashar Assad's willingness and ability to "provide the goods", "Israel" would do well to closely examine Syria's stance.
The survey writers wrote that despite United Nations decisions, Hizbullah was not limited with regards to rearming. It was likely to keep the peace on the border with "Israel" in the short run in order to allow the rehabilitation of its strongholds.
"Israel`s" fighting in Lebanon was perceived by many, friends and foes united, as an "Israeli" failure. The war also exposed the issues of "Israel`s" vulnerability and the lack of an effective solution to the Qassam rockets.
One of the institute's researchers, Giora Island, said that the war had two far reaching, serious consequences. One was that Arab states now doubt "Israel`s" strength, and may take future offensive steps that would have been unthinkable six months prior.
The other consequence was "Israel`s" disappointment to the US and other western countries in light of the war's embarrassing achievements, which could possibly affect future discussions connected with "Israel`s" offensive aspects.