Israel Strikes Syria Amidst Diplomatic Talks

Recent Israeli strikes on Syrian government forces and infrastructure, including in Damascus, have occurred despite ongoing back-channel talks for a diplomatic resolution to long-standing tensions, primarily over territory captured in 1967. These actions appear to reflect a shift in Israel's military doctrine post-October 7th, marked by a combination of perceived threats and recent successes against groups like Hezbollah and Iran. This has led to a preference for preemptive force over diplomatic efforts, even when such strikes may undermine negotiations. The immediate trigger for the recent attacks was Syria's deployment of forces to its southwest to manage internal tribal fighting, which Israel viewed as a potential security threat due to its desire to prevent hostile military build-ups in the region.