Former Israeli prime minister and defence minister Ehud Barak says that while there is an urgent need to fight ISIS, the world cannot disregard other regional threats, especially Syrian President Bashar Assad.
Speaking to CTV's Question Period, Barak said there is a need to look at the “wider picture” in the fight against the Islamic State militants. He made the comments from the Halifax International Security Forum, which runs until Sunday.
“There is a need to look at the wider picture and understand what the Turks are arguing … that there should be a capacity to see behind ISIS, also the real target, which should be Assad,” he said. “Assad should be toppled immediately after ISIS is decimated, or probably simultaneously.”
Barak said the fight against ISIS is not logical if the world is going to turn a blind eye to other threats in the region, such as Assad, Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Ayatollahs in Iran.
In terms of dealing with ISIS specifically, Barak encouraged military action against the militants, as opposed to negotiations.
“I think there is a need to fight. When you have to shoot – shoot. Don’t talk,” he said.
Barak also called for a “rapid deployment unit” that could be sent to fight off the militant group in strategic cities, such as Kobani, Syria or Mosul, Iraq. He said he was hopeful ISIS could eventually be suppressed.
The fight against ISIS was a major topic at the sixth-annual security forum, which attracts high-ranking security and defence officials from across Canada and around the world.
Canada has committed to a six-month air mission in Iraq, as a part of the U.S.-led coalition against ISIS. The Conservative government has not indicated if it will expand Canada’s air combat mission to Syria, as the U.S. and other Arab countries have.
The forum also comes before a major deadline Monday for a nuclear deal between Iran and the P5+1 nations – the U.S., Britain, France, China, Russia and Germany. The P5+1 is hoping to strike a deal that would cut and put limits on Iran’s nuclear programs. While Iran has said it does not want to obtain nuclear arms, it is engaging in the talks in hopes of experiencing some relief from Western-imposed sanctions.
Barak said he is “very pessimistic” a deal will be reached in time. And with no deal, he said he fears Iran will keep “inching toward nuclear military capability.” He thinks the negotiation process will be extended, yet again.
“Probably there will be either a modified interim agreement or a new deadline that will be set probably mid-January or something like this for further negotiations,” said Barak.
While U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry warned of “serious gaps” in the talks with Iran on Saturday, he added that the P5+1 and Iran have “never been closer” to an agreement since the negotiations began more than six years ago.
For Barak, failure to reach an agreement with Iran would threaten the security of the region.
“It’s not just a risk for Israel. It will end any considerable world order in the Middle East and will put end any possible regime of non-proliferation.”
When asked how long Israel would give Iran to halt its nuclear program, Barak refused to provide a timeline.
Finally, Barak spoke to last week’s violence in Jerusalem, which left five dead and several wounded, including a Canadian-Israel citizen, after two Palestinians stormed a synagogue and attacked worshippers inside. Barak said it is the responsibility of both Israeli and Palestinian governments to bring an end to the bloodshed.
“I hope it will not turn into a religious war. Leaderships on both sides are taking tough steps in order to put an end to the blood spilling in the streets."
Still hopeful that “tranquility and peace” can be achieved between Israel and the Palestinian territories, Barak expressed his support for a two-state solution that would see an independent, demilitarized Palestinian state.
With files from the Associated Press
