Sources Warn of War Danger Around Israeli Provocations Over Syria

May 30, 2013 • 10:40AM

Two well-placed Washington intelligence sources both expressed alarm about recent developments in the Middle East, and the danger of a world war arising from Israeli provocations over the planned Russian provision of S300 surface-to-air missiles to the Syrian government.

A retired military intelligence officer said that the danger of an Israeli strike against the Russian S-300 deliveries to Syria could itself trigger global war. This source is not at all alarmist, so this warning from him should be taken very seriously.

A second Washington intelligence contact had had the same response. He said that, so far, the Russians have indicated to the U.S. that they will hold back on the S-300 deliveries until after the Geneva II conference, which is good. But Israel has clearly threatened to destroy the S-300s before they are installed. This would likely mean attacks on the sites where they are stored in Syria, prior to installation. Russian "technicians" will be accompanying those systems. The range of the S-300s means that they could intercept Israeli fighter jets still inside Israeli air space, which is why this is such a "red line" for Israel and such a hair-trigger for a larger war potential. Obviously, we are again seeing a combined British, French, Israeli provocation to sabotage Geneva II.

The source also pointed out that Sen. John McCain's visit to Syrian opposition leader General Idris was part of the same array of provocations. And, he noted in this context, the McCain-versus-Dempsey fight has very serious implications.