Word: syria
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...history of the rocky, Los Angeles-sized plateau, strategically nestled between Lebanon, Syria, Israel and Jordan, traces back to biblical times. From 953-586 B.C. the Golan Heights was both a buffer zone and a contested area for the ancient Kingdom of Israel and the Aramean Kingdom in Damascus...
...changed hands incessantly, enduring brief bouts of occupation by everyone from Alexander the Great to the Roman Empire. The area finally settled under the control of the Ottomans in the 16th century, where it remained until the dissolution of the Empire after World War I. French mandated modern-day Syria emerged from its ashes and the Golan Heights was included within its newly defined borders...
...After the establishment of the state of Israel and the ensuing Arab-Israeli War of 1948-9, the Golan Heights once again became the site of tumultuous border clashes. Syria took advantage of the area's mountainous terrain and high vantage points to shell the Israeli border below while Israel attempted to occupy and control the demilitarized areas and divert the Golan Heights' freshwater supply from the Jordan River for its own uses...
...Repeated attempts by Syria to regain the Golan Heights, including a disastrous war and numerous failed negotiations, have proved fruitless. The stalemate over its status has strangled Israeli-Syrian relations, pushing Syria to ally itself with other nations and groups hostile to Israel's agenda such as Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran, while urging Israel to push for the ostracization of Syria by its Western allies...
...countries agreed to a series of closed-door discussions mediated by Turkey. Israel's advanced reconnaissance capabilities have almost eliminated the need for watch posts in the mountains and a peace treaty would remove the threat of a possible Syrian blockade of the water supply. As Livni, Olmert and Syria now appear willing to talk, the Golan Heights could be ready to change hands once more...