As goes the adage that there are no permanent friends and enemies in international politics, Syria and Israel, long-standing adversaries, are currently engaged in their most serious diplomatic discussions. These indirect talks, mediated by the United States, represent a significant departure from the previous Syrian government's hostility towards Israel. The new Syrian President, Ahmed al-Shara, who led the overthrow of Iran's ally Bashar al-Assad, is utilizing diplomatic channels to address border issues and other concerns.

A key factor driving these negotiations is a shared antipathy towards Iran, which was a close ally of the deposed Syrian regime. Both Syria and Israel now perceive Iran as a common adversary and share security concerns regarding Iran-backed proxy groups infiltrating Syria. This common ground has paved the way for discussions that were previously unimaginable, reflecting a broader power shift within the Middle East.

The U.S. has played a crucial role in facilitating these back-channel discussions. It has actively called for a non-aggression pact between Israel and Syria as a first step towards repairing their relations. The U.S. has also publicly encouraged Syria to join the Abraham Accords, which established diplomatic ties between Israel and several Arab nations during Trump's first term. However, the immediate goals of the current talks appear more modest than full normalization. Syrian officials have not indicated an imminent desire to join the Abraham Accords. Instead, the focus is on "de-conflicting" and ensuring the two nations avoid outright conflict. This limited aim suggests a cautious approach to building trust and stability.

Syria's Foreign Minister, Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani, recently expressed openness to cooperating with the United States to restore the 1974 Disengagement Agreement with Israel, which established a UN-patrolled buffer zone on the Golan Heights. While the Golan remains a highly contentious issue, the fact that such a possibility is being discussed underscores the unprecedented nature of the current diplomatic engagement between Syria and Israel. Be that as it may, in the eyes of the peace loving people all over the world would preferred dialogue over war and conflicts.