On September 14, 2007, Andrew Semmel, the acting deputy assisting secretary of state for nuclear nonproliferation policy, confirmed that Syria is on the US’s Nuclear Watch List.  This announcement follows an Israeli air strike against Syria on September 6.  Since Israel has issued a blanket restriction on the media from reporting on the raid, the target or purpose of the strike remains unknown.  However, it is speculated that the target was a nuclear plant.  Semmel stated that there were indications that North Korean engineers are helping Syria to develop nuclear weapons.

The US government has confirmed that the North Koreans supplied Syria with missile technology and that North Korean technicians are currently in Syria.  But, Semmel also stated it is thought that Syria would not make serious attempts to develop nuclear weapons.  This thought rests on the belief that the country lacked the money and technical expertise to develop nuclear weapons.

In addition to the theory that Israel targeted a possible nuclear plant, there are two other suggested reasons for the raid.  First, that Israel targeted a shipment of weapons from Iran passing through Syria on their way to Hezbollah in Lebanon.  Second, that the raid was test run should Israel ever want to attack Iran.

Israel and Syria technically remain in a state of war and the two countries oscillated between peace talks and possible acts of war this summer.  Thus Syria’s reaction to this incident may push the two countries closer to engaging in military combat.  On September 12, Syria filed a formal complaint to the UN over Israel’s raid.  But thus far, this is Syria’s only response to the raid.

For more information please see:
AFP – Speculation heats up over what Israel hit in Syria – 16 September 2007

London Times – Israelis ‘blew apart Syrian nuclear cache’ – 16 Sept 2007

Washington Post – N. Korea denies nuclear ties to Syria: report – 16 September 2007

New York Times – U.S. official says that Syria may have nuclear ties – 15 September 2007

Guardian – U.S.: Syria on Nuclear Watch List – 14 September 2007

ABC News – U.S.: Syria on Nuclear Watch List – 14 September 2007

Economist – Mysterious Happenings – 13 September 2007

BBC – Syria complains to UN over Israel – 12 September 2007

BBC – New twist to Syria-Israel tension – 6 September 2007