Israeli Attack On Syria The Quest for Unknown Unknowns

摘要

Trying to ascertain the background to the Israeli air attack on an unidentified Syrian target on 6 September brings to mind former US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld's beloved known knowns, known unknowns and unknown unknowns. The event has been characterized by the paucity of verifiable information relating to the event. It was not until 2 October that the Israeli military censor confirmed the attack actually took place, though details relating to the target and the nature of the attack remain 'known unknowns'. Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad provided slightly more detail the day before in an interview to the BBC, stating that Israeli Air Force (IAF) planesrnhad hit a military construction site in Deir Al-Azur in the north-east of the country. Other than the fact that Syrian air defences engaged the IAF, little else can be said with certainty. The Syrian President has stated that the attack confirms Israel's 'visceral antipathy towards peace', and reserved the right to retaliate.