Lebanon Turns to Russia amid Israeli Threat

The President of Lebanon has vocally condemned Israel’s seizure of the Golan Heights in Syria, calling it “a black day for the world.” Meanwhile Lebanon and Russia are drawing closer together diplomatically. Yulia Shapovalova reports. Then RT America’s John Huddy joins Rick Sanchez to discuss the reaction at the United Nations and the strategic importance of the Golan Heights. Then former Pentagon official Michael Maloof weighs in on the geopolitical implications and the possibility of the annexation sparking a wider conflict.

Is Trump Changing US Policy in the Middle East? | Inside Story

In his latest controversial move, US President Donald Trump has recognized Israeli sovereignty over the occupied Golan Heights, ending decades of US policy towards the region. It's a boost for embattled Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who is seeking re-election in two weeks; but the move has been condemned by world leaders.

Israel captured the territory in 1967 and annexed it in 1981 in a move not recognized internationally. So is Trump helping or hindering peace in the Middle East?

Presenter: Nick Clark | Guests: Rami Khouri, Senior Fellow at the Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy at the American University of Beirut; Guillaume Charron, director of the advisory firm Independent Diplomat; Eugene Kontorovich, international law professor at the Kohelet Policy Forum who advised both the Israeli and American governments on the Occupied Golan Heights

What'll Be the Outcome of the US President's Latest Foreign Policy Thrust? l Inside Story

Israel captured the Golan Heights from Syria in 1967. It's been an occupied territory ever since, in defiance of multiple UN resolutions. Now, in a tweet, Donald Trump's seems set to overturn the US position and recognise Israel's sovreignty over Golan Heights.

It's a move designed to boost the standing of the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, as he campaigns for re-election. But there's already been an international outcry. Some accuse President Trump of bringing the region close to war.

So what will be the consequences of Trump's latest policy bombshell?

Presenter: Nick Clark | Guests: Mitchell Barak - CEO of Keevoon Global Research who was an adviser to former Israeli President Shimon Peres; Aaron Southlea - Advocacy Officer for Al-Marsad, the Arab Human Rights Centre in Golan Heights; Simon Mabon - Senior Lecturer in International Studies at Lancaster University

Trump Recognizes Israeli Sovereignty in the Golan Heights

AXIOS: President Trump announced in a Thursday tweet that the U.S. will recognize Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, which Israel first captured from Syria and occupied in 1967 and effectively annexed in 1981. » | Barak Ravid of Israel's Channel 13 news | Thursday, March 21, 2019

Golan Frights: Israelis Shiver as Iran Plans to Deploy Troops to Syria
Iran is reportedly gearing up to send thousands of troops to Syria to beef up government forces against the rebels. It also went as far as proposing a new military frontier in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. And, coupled with American intentions to arm the Syrian opposition, Israelis living in the area fear they're in for some big trouble, as Paula Slier reports.

Golan Heights in Exchange for Peace?
THE TELEGRAPH: The Israeli prime minister has offered to return the Golan Heights to Syria in exchange for peace, the nation's press reported yesterday.

In a secret communique, Ehud Olmert demanded that in exchange for the return of the strategic highlands, Syria dissolve its alliances with Iran, Hezbollah and Palestinian militant factions who maintain headquarters in Damascus. Israel offers the Golan Heights to Syria (more) By Charles Levinson

Mark Alexander