According to chief of military intelligence, Major-General Amos Yadlin, Israel�s deterrence abilities today are the best they have been since 2000.

Addressing a Tel Aviv University audience, the head of military intelligence rejected statements from �experts� who speak of �weakness�, explaining it is just not so. He added that one may measure Israel�s deterrence abilities by measuring the enemy�s hesitancy to attack. �In my opinion, Israel during the last two years has been involved in a deterrence test.�

Regarding Syria, Yadlin believes overtures towards peace by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad are genuine, explaining the Syrian leader�s price for diplomatic relations with Israel is the return to the pre-June 4, 1967 borders, i.e. a withdrawal from the entire Golan Heights.

The military�s most senior intelligence officer added that the likelihood of a war in 2009 remains low, adding there is however a much higher or perhaps likelihood of a localized conflicts that could lead to more comprehensive confrontations.

(Yechiel Spira � YWN Israel)