Proxy War Between Israel and Iran Looms in Lebanon

President Barack Obama's national security adviser is citing a heightened risk that Iran will respond to growing pressure over its nuclear program by stoking violence against Israel.

The adviser, retired Marine Gen. James Jones, said history shows that when regimes are feeling pressure they can lash out through surrogates.

He said that in Iran's case that would mean facilitating attacks on Israel through Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza. Iran helps arm Hezbollah and Hamas.

Jones also alluded to the prospect of additional international sanctions being applied to Iran as one factor in making Iran feel greater pressure. He said another factor is internal pressure - an apparent reference to street protests against the Iranian leadership over the disputed presidential election last summer.

In the same vein, French Foreign Minister expressed earlier his fear that the situation in Iran might prompt officials in Tehran to behave unpredictably, which could prove dangerous given Hizbullah’s weapons, and could lead to unfortunate events.

On a different note Jonathan Spyer wrote in Jerusalem Post that any future strike at Hizbullah that does not take into account its status as a client of Syria, is unlikely to land a decisive blow.