Nice article. Thanks for the Link.
Israel is definitely one a suspect if not the mastermind behind the turmoil in the middle east. These neighboring countries have never signed a peace treaty and Syria is defined by Israel as a enemy state.
Syria openly supports Palestine and this annoys Israel. They also occupy a part of Syria, Golan, besides its strategic position, this area provides a significant portion of fresh water. Oil and gas resources have been discovered which will not only provide enough for domestic consumption but can make Israel a hydrocarbon exporter.
Israel just wants to expand.