S T R AT E GI C E N V I RON M E N T Syria: political football of the regional powers and superpowers and target for Israel It will probably take years for sovereignty over the last areas still controlled by rebels and Kurds in the north of Syria to be fully regained. The main obstacle is Turkey, which insists on a zone of influence controlled by Turkish security forces in Syrian territory for defence against the Kurdish Workers’ Party (PKK). Israel sees itself threatened by the military presence in Syria of Iran and its ally the Lebanese Hezbollah, and remains determined to use air strikes against Iranian military installations. It remains to be seen how Russia will respond in future with its ground-based air defences in Syria. There is a considerable risk of escalation. Israel must bear in mind that it is Russia’s priority to stabilise the Syrian regime. Influence in Syria of regional powers and superpowers 32 S I T UAT I O N R E PORT 2 0 1 9 | F I S