Damascus‘ dove dying in Israel

Any hopes Syria attached to a swift resumption of peace talks with Israel — brokered by the new administration of US President Barack Obama — appear to have been undermined by the reluctance of the Israelis and the hesitancy of the Americans. The election of Binyamin Netanyahu at the head of a right-wing government in Israel and the cautious pace of US re-engagement with Syria suggests that there will be little movement in the immediate future. During his electoral campaign, Netanyahu declared that he would not return the Golan Heights to Syria in exchange for peace. While his comments smacked more of electioneering than intent, Netanyahu appears to be in no rush to resume the Turkey-brokered indirect peace talks with Syria. The talks stalled in December when Syria pulled out in protest at the Israeli offensive on Gaza. The new Israeli government, like the Obama administration, is still formulating its