Strategic Assessment

This article reviews the course of events that led the Assad regime to agree to dismantle its arsenal of chemical weapons. It assesses the initial stages of implementing the agreement, and estimates the likelihood that the agreement will actually be implemented. The article also analyzes the ramifications of the agreement, particularly for Israel, and concludes that if the agreement is indeed implemented, it will improve Israel’s security situation. In addition, the agreement will enable Israel to reassess its policy on chemical weapons, specifically in matters pertaining to protection of the civilian population and ratification of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC).