Publication

This brief assesses the risk Syria's chemical weapons pose for Israel. The author argues that the risk that the Syrian regime will use chemical weapons against Israel or will transfer weapons to Hizbollah is low. Israel must, therefore, be wary of attacking the chemical components storage facilities. Instead, Israel should send messages of deterrence to both the Syrian regime and Hizbollah about the intolerable cost of using the weapons. In addition, the US and its allies must prepare to seize control of chemical weapons storage facilities once the regime collapses. They must push for better safeguards and establish mechanisms to control black weapons market transfers to irregular fighting forces.