WarSclerotic

The Israeli defense establishment is concerned: the indecisiveness of the USA regarding the attack in Syria will have far-reaching implications in the medium and long run.

Defense establishment sources estimate that if the USA fails to carry out an attack against Syria despite the threats made by President Barack Obama, the regional deterrence of the USA and the confidence of allies in the region will sustain a serious damage.

“The Syrian case is a supreme test of the seriousness of the USA,” said a defense source to Israel Defense.

The Israeli defense establishment was surprised by the indecisiveness shown by the USA regarding the attack. A short while after Obama’s announcement that he intends to order an attack, the IDF announced a raised alert level and mobilization of reserves and emergency vehicles was initiated. In the meantime, most of these processes have been suspended.

Israel monitors with great interest Obama’s efforts to raise support for the attack in the US House of Representatives and in Europe.

It is estimated that over the recent Jewish holiday, the chances of an imminent attack have diminished and at this point it is not at all certain that such an attack will be carried out.

The US Congress will convene to discuss the attack later this week.

“If the USA fails to fulfill her threats, it would be difficult to take her red lines seriously later on. This definitely applies to Iran. It is possible that the USA is putting an end to the era during which it was the world’s only superpower,” said Israeli defense sources, off the record.