Syria's military flatters to deceive
Asia Times ^ | 28 July 2006 | Richard M Bennett
 

 

While it is still largely true that the Syrian military remains one of the largest and best-trained forces in the Arab world, it has significantly lost every major conflict with Israel since 1948. Its combat strength has deteriorated dramatically over the past 15 years as its equipment has become increasingly obsolescent, poorly maintained and short of spare parts.

The collapse of the Soviet Union created immense problems of resupply for the Syrians, and the slowdown experienced by the Syrian economy resulted in a further downgrading of the military's combat efficiency.

This said, the recent military cooperation agreement signed with Iran has offered Damascus a much-needed opportunity to update and re-equip large parts of its armed forces. Spare parts for its Russian weapons, improved electronics and new Iranian-made missile systems will provide a considerable strengthening of combat capability and a possible improvement in morale.

Syria, like its more powerful partner Iran, is desperate to become a serious participant in any negotiations involving the future of the Middle East and is widely suspected of trying to use Hezbollah, its protege in Lebanon, as a lever to help fulfill its geostrategic ambitions.
 

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