Syria-Israel talks on the horizon: US eyes broader Middle East peace agreements
A potential meeting between Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington could soon take place, according to American Rabbi Abraham Cooper, who visited Damascus two weeks ago and met with al-Sharaa.
Cooper, known for his role in facilitating dialogue between regional rivals, such as Bahrain and the UAE before they joined the Abraham Accords, said such a meeting is possible if former U.S. President Donald Trump personally intervenes.
While the prospect of a direct encounter between Syrian and Israeli leaders remains distant, Cooper emphasized that the current priority is de-escalating tensions, a necessary step before formal negotiations can begin.
Syrian affairs experts speaking to LBCI confirmed that the process involves several stages.
The first stage, they explained, is focused on halting Israeli military operations inside Syrian territory to create an environment conducive to dialogue—a step reportedly already underway.
The second stage centers on reaching a security agreement to restore conditions to what they were before December 8, when al-Sharaa assumed power following the collapse of the Assad regime.
The plan would also reactivate the 1974 disengagement agreement between Syria and Israel, which has remained a key reference point for managing military tensions along their borders.
Israeli Channel 12 reported that the potential agreement could include Israel formally recognizing Syria's territorial integrity and pledging not to interfere in the affairs of the Druze, Alawite, and Kurdish communities within Syria.
However, the status of the occupied Golan Heights remains a significant obstacle, with Israel maintaining its claim over the strategic territory and rejecting any suggestion of relinquishing control.
If the initial security agreements succeed, they could pave the way for broader peace talks between Syria and Israel, with the possibility of full normalization on the table.
According to Israeli media, such a breakthrough could also open the door for additional agreements, including potential normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia.
Some observers suggest the implications could extend even further.
U.S. envoy to Syria Thomas Barrack hinted that rapprochement between Damascus and Tel Aviv may eventually lead to similar diplomatic progress between Israel and Lebanon, saying that Beirut could follow a path similar to the one Syria appears to be embarking on.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
LBCI
10 hours ago
- LBCI
Behind the quiet: Israel eyes Druze unrest, renews Syria deterrence
Report by Amal Shehadeh, English adaptation by Karine Keuchkerian In a move that reinforces its presence in Syria, the Israeli army redeployed across various Syrian areas starting Sunday morning, while simultaneously continuing drills to prepare for a possible mass infiltration from the border area. At the same time, a group of Israeli Druze who have served in the military and work in various security agencies released a statement announcing that 2,000 of them are ready to enter Syria to support the Druze community in Sweida. Despite the announced ceasefire, Israeli military reports claimed that tensions and clashes continue. Israel's decision to allow Syrian regime forces into Sweida to ensure local security has sparked internal disagreement. Some military and security officials viewed it as a step backward in protecting the Druze, while others called for expanding the security buffer zone to better protect the border. During a security meeting focused on developments along the Syrian front, Israel took several steps to reinforce its deterrence. It was revealed that behind-the-scenes talks are underway with Druze groups near the Syrian border—both at the operational level and among senior leadership—aimed at calming tensions. However, officials have not ruled out the possibility of reviving talks between Syria and Israel, which were suspended in Azerbaijan following the outbreak of unrest in Sweida. While the border and the ceasefire zone remain calm for now, the Israeli military announced that all Israeli Druze have been evacuated from Syria and that it is intensifying efforts to prevent cross-border infiltration. Reinforced troops have been deployed to the area, along with newly erected barriers and concrete obstacles along the border fence as part of defensive preparations in case of a sudden escalation on either side.
LBCI
10 hours ago
- LBCI
From Gaza to Ukraine: Are global trade corridors fueling deeper rivalries?
Report by Toni Mrad, English adaptation by Karine Keuchkerian Do you know what's behind the war in Gaza? Or the reason for the conflict between Ukraine and Russia? Some observers trace these wars back to a global rivalry between two competing trade initiatives: one led by China—the 'Silk Road'—and the other backed by the United States—the 'India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor.' At first glance, this analysis may seem unconventional. But some argue that many of the wars and conflicts unfolding around the world today are tied to a deeper struggle over trade routes and economic influence among major powers. To break it down: there are two key global trade projects. The first is China's Silk Road, formally launched in 2013 as the Belt and Road Initiative. It's a vast economic and strategic plan aimed at linking China to Europe via Asia and the Middle East. The second is the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor, which was formally introduced during the 2023 G20 summit. This initiative seeks to establish a trade corridor connecting India to the Gulf and Europe through the Middle East. But is it accurate to say that many of today's wars are connected to the rivalry between these two trade routes? Take Gaza, for example. The war didn't erupt directly because of this rivalry, but the conflict became an indirect factor in Israel's military campaign. Put another way, the war in Gaza effectively froze progress on the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor. It became nearly impossible for Saudi Arabia to move forward with normalization or economic cooperation with Israel under current conditions. More broadly, the rivalry between the Chinese and Indian trade corridors helps explain why some countries have backed different sides in the conflict. India supported Israel, a position interpreted as an effort to protect its trade project from derailment. In contrast, China expressed support for the Palestinians—seen by some as an attempt to undermine the Indian corridor in favor of its own Belt and Road Initiative. Another example is the war in Ukraine, which has also disrupted China's Silk Road. The conflict weakened the initiative and forced China to alter its routes. Prior to the war, some Chinese goods passed through Ukraine en route to Europe. That route has been completely halted due to military operations and instability. This disruption created new space for competing projects, including the Indian corridor, to gain ground. Ultimately, when a war breaks out, the geopolitical dimensions—especially those tied to global trade routes—should not be overlooked.
LBCI
15 hours ago
- LBCI
European powers plan fresh nuclear talks with Iran this week: AFP
Germany, France, and Britain are planning to hold fresh talks with Iran on its nuclear program in the coming days, a German diplomatic source told AFP on Sunday. "The E3 are in contact with Iran to schedule further talks for the coming week," the source said, following warnings from the European powers that international sanctions against Iran—which were eased under the 2015 nuclear deal but could be swiftly reimposed if Iran breaches its commitments, could be reactivated if Tehran does not resume negotiations. AFP
