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Last update - 02:39 28/09/2008 ANALYSIS / Damascus bomb is latest event to shake Syrian security By Amos Harel Tags: Israel News, Syria  Saturday's explosion in Damascus is the latest in a long series of events that have taken place over a little more than a year that reflect a serious deterioration in domestic security in Syria. It joins the attack on the nuclear facility in northeastern Syria last September (for which Israel indirectly admitted responsibility), the assassination of the senior Hezbollah official Imad Mughniyeh, the assassination of the Syrian general Mohammed Suleiman, the murder of Khaled Meshal's secretary and a powerful explosion with dozens of casualties at a Syrian chemical factory. Damascus has accused Israel of most of these incidents. In some cases Israel outright denied responsibility; in others, it declined to respond. Advertisement Most of the incidents left the Syrian leadership embarrassed and insecure. The widely held view in the Israeli defense establishment in recent months has been that Syrian President Bashar Assad would choose not to respond to the events and prefer to avoid an escalation with Israel, especially considering Syria's greatly improved international status in recent months. However, it should be remembered that the events in Syria are taking place in the context of an "ongoing settling of accounts" between Hezbollah and Israel in light of Hezbollah's accusation that Israel was behind the killing of Mughniyeh. In recent weeks, Israeli security forces have been tense over two scenarios − an attempt by Hezbollah to avenge Mughniyeh's death by means of a large-scale attack on an Israeli target, or the bringing of anti-aircraft missiles into Lebanese territory, a development that Israel has defined as a "red line." Related articles: 17 killed in massive car bombing in Damascus ANALYSIS: Hezbollah terror chief was more wanted than Nasrallah Syrian FM: Peace negotiations with Israel stalled Bookmark to del.icio.us   Defending against Iran U.S. deploys early-warning radar system at Israeli base to detect Iranian missiles. Chinese train in Israel Haifa stadium had been turned into mock Bird's Nest in pre-Olympics exercises.   1.   Syrian security? 04:40  |  Jeff 28/09/08   2.   Responsibility 05:40  |  Ron 28/09/08   3.   Mossad behind as always before 06:28  |  benka 28/09/08   4.   benka don`t try so shift the blame 08:04  |  Rio 28/09/08   5.   It`s finally happened 11:00  |  zoe 28/09/08   6.   Syrian bombs in cars! 01:34  |  Rigma 29/09/08   7.   The reign of Daniyal 01:36  |  Rigma 29/09/08   8.   Syria,Russia and Iran! 20:27  |  paul 29/09/08

Read & React Prof. Sternhell: Supporters of occupation are not Zionist Responses: 118 Discontented Fatah politicos consider launching third intifada Responses: 52 Olmert: Israel must quit East Jerusalem and Golan Responses: 174 Gershom Gorenberg: The settlement movement began in self-deception Responses: 21 More Headlines 21:17 Israel slams fresh Arab move to isolate it at IAEA 22:10 U.S. House of Representatives rejects $700 billion bailout plan 22:58 Noam Shalit tells son Gilad: Forgive us, we have failed 16:58 Olmert: Israel must quit East Jerusalem and Golan 19:44 ANALYSIS / Olmert's epiphany is too little, too late 14:01 Gaza militants fire Qassam at Israel, in fresh truce violation 11:14 Jewish World / Taking the New Year to find beauty in Judaism and life 22:33 Haaretz.com: The year in review 19:40 Gaffes and brimstone, as McCain, Obama proxies spar in Jerusalem 18:55 On Rosh Hashanah, Obama calls to achieve 'peace, security for Israel' 12:35 Despite new UN resolution, Iran to continue uranium enrichment 18:22 Abbas wishes Olmert, Livni happy Rosh Hashanah 09:41 Prof. Sternhell: Supporters of occupation are not Zionist 13:52 VIDEO / Shimon Peres' Rosh Hashanah greeting to the world 13:39 Israel Police: Settlers were not behind Palestinian teen's death 14:07 Egyptian and foreign tourists freed after week in captivity Previous Editions Select Day 28 sep 26 sep 25 sep 24 sep 23 sep 22 sep 21 sep 19 sep 18 sep 17 sep 16 sep 15 sep

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