After the First World War, Syria and Lebanon were ruled by France under a League of Nations mandate, following the defeat of the Ottoman Empire. The governance structure, known as the French Mandate for Syria and Lebanon, officially began in 1923 and lasted until the mid-1940s. Here’s an overview of how France administered these territories:

Background:

1. Post-Ottoman Arrangement:

   • After World War I, the Ottoman Empire’s Middle Eastern territories were divided among the victors under the Sykes-Picot Agreement (1916). This agreement anticipated French control of Syria and Lebanon.

   • The League of Nations granted France the formal mandate for these territories in 1923, based on its claim to historical and cultural ties in the region and its military presence after the war.

1. Initial Occupation:

1. • French military forces entered the region in 1920, defeating local resistance at the Battle of Maysalun and taking control of Damascus, the political and cultural heart of Syria.

Governance Structure:

1. Division into States:

   • France divided the Syrian mandate into several states along sectarian and regional lines to weaken nationalist unity:

     • State of Damascus

     • State of Aleppo

     • Alawite State (later Latakia)

     • Jabal Druze

     • Greater Lebanon (separated as a distinct entity, eventually becoming modern Lebanon)

   • This divide-and-rule strategy exploited ethnic and religious divisions to maintain control.

1. Direct French Rule:

1. • France retained significant administrative authority over the region, appointing governors and officials and controlling foreign policy, security, and economic decisions.

1. Constitutional Development:

1. • France introduced constitutions in Syria and Lebanon but maintained veto power over significant political decisions. Syrian efforts to gain independence were frequently rebuffed.

Resistance and Rebellion:

1. Syrian Nationalism:

   • Syrian nationalists resisted French rule, demanding independence and unification of the fragmented states.

   • The Great Syrian Revolt (1925–1927) was a large-scale uprising led by Druze leaders and Syrian nationalists, which France suppressed brutally using heavy military force.

1. Lebanese Response:

1. • In Lebanon, the French fostered closer ties with the Christian Maronite community, creating tensions between Christian and Muslim populations. This favoritism fueled long-term sectarian divides.

French Policies:

1. Economic Exploitation:

   • France developed infrastructure but largely directed resources to benefit French commercial interests. Agriculture, trade, and industries like silk production were integrated into the French economy.

1. Cultural Influence:

1. • France sought to promote French culture, language, and education, particularly in urban areas, creating a Francophone elite class.

1. Military Presence:

1. • French troops were stationed throughout Syria and Lebanon to enforce order, quell uprisings, and secure French interests.

Toward Independence:

1. World War II Impact:

   • During World War II, the Vichy French government initially controlled the region, but Free French forces, backed by Britain, took over in 1941.

   • Amid growing nationalist pressure and international support for independence, France agreed to gradually transfer power.

1. Full Independence:

1. • Lebanon gained independence in 1943, followed by Syria in 1946, after prolonged negotiations and mounting resistance to continued French influence.

Legacy:

• The French Mandate left a mixed legacy:

  • Administrative Fragmentation: The division of territories by France sowed divisions that affected regional unity.

  • Sectarianism: French policies deepened sectarian divides, particularly in Lebanon, influencing future conflicts.

  • Nationalism: Harsh rule fueled strong nationalist movements, which ultimately led to independence.

Eli Cohen (1924–1965) was an Israeli spy who had a daring undercover operation in Syria during the 1960s. His remarkable ability to infiltrate Syrian high society and provide crucial intelligence to Israel remains a legendary tale of espionage.
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Early Life and Recruitment:

Eli Cohen was born to Jewish parents of Syrian descent in Alexandria, Egypt.

As a young man, he was deeply influenced by Zionist ideals and supported the creation of the state of Israel.

After being expelled from Egypt during the anti-Jewish sentiment following the Suez Crisis in 1956, Cohen moved to Israel, where he was recruited by Mossad, Israel's intelligence agency, in 1960.

His fluency in Arabic, French, and Hebrew, as well as his ability to blend in seamlessly, made him an ideal candidate for covert operations.

Undercover Identity in Syria:

Cohen was given the identity of "Kamel Amin Thaabet," a wealthy Syrian businessman returning to his homeland after living in Argentina. In 1961, he infiltrated Syrian society, quickly gaining the trust of military and political elites.

His charm, intelligence, and generosity allowed him to attend high-level gatherings, where he gathered critical information about Syria's military and political strategies.

Espionage Achievements:

Cohen's intelligence contributions were monumental. He provided detailed reports on Syrian fortifications in the Golan Heights, which proved invaluable during the Six-Day War in 1967.

One famous anecdote describes how Cohen suggested planting eucalyptus trees near Syrian military installations to provide shade for soldiers—a suggestion that allowed Israeli forces to identify and target these locations during the war.

Discovery and Capture:

In 1965, Syrian counterintelligence, with assistance from Soviet experts, detected unusual radio transmissions from Cohen's Damascus apartment. After his capture, Cohen was interrogated, tried in a secretive military court, and sentenced to death. Despite international appeals for clemency, including from Pope Paul VI and French President Charles de Gaulle, Syria executed him by public hanging on May 18, 1965.

Legacy:

Eli Cohen's bravery and sacrifice are deeply honored in Israel. He is remembered as a national hero, and his intelligence work is credited with saving countless lives.

His remains have not been returned to Israel, despite ongoing efforts by Israeli authorities.

His story has been the subject of books, films, and the 2019 Netflix series The Spy, starring Sacha Baron Cohen, which dramatized his life and work.

The regime under Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has executed, killed, or imprisoned many individuals.

 Executed or Killed:

Mohsen Shekari - Executed for his involvement in protests, specifically for allegedly blocking a street and injuring a member of the Basij militia during the demonstrations following Mahsa Amini's death.

Majidreza Rahnavard - Publicly hanged in November 2022, accused of killing a member of the Basij paramilitary force during the protests.

Mohammad Mehdi Karami - Executed for his alleged role in the death of a Basij member. He was known for being a national karate champion.

Seyyed Mohammad Hosseini was also executed alongside Mohammad Mehdi Karami for the same incident.

Saleh Mirhashemi, Majid Kazemi, Saeed Yaghoobi - These individuals were executed in 2023 for their roles in protests and accused of crimes like "moharebeh" (waging war against God).

Asra Panahi - A 15-year-old girl mentioned in social media posts for her death after allegedly being beaten by the police for refusing to sing praises to Khamenei. However, detailed verification of such incidents can be challenging due to the regime's control over information.

 Jailed or Tortured:

Toomaj Salehi - A rapper arrested for speaking out against the regime and supporting the protests. He faced torture and was imprisoned.

Shervin Hajipour—Known for his song supporting the protests, he was jailed but later released on bail.

Narges Mohammadi - A prominent human rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner, she has been repeatedly imprisoned. Reports mentioned her being among seventeen female political prisoners attacked by regime forces.

Manouchehr Bakhtiari - His son was killed during the 2019 protests, and he faced arrest, torture, and imprisonment for his activism.

In Israel, Tel Aviv is known as one of the most dog-friendly cities in the world. With an estimated one dog for every 11 residents, this has earned Tel Aviv a reputation for having one of the highest rates of dog ownership globally, especially relative to population size.

The Story of "Hachiko" – The Israeli Version

  - One of the most touching stories in Israel is often compared to the story of Japan’s famous dog, Hachiko. In this case, a loyal Israeli dog would wait daily for his owner, a Holocaust survivor, to return to the bus station after work. Tragically, one day, the owner passed away, but the dog continued to wait for him at the station for years. Locals began caring for the dog, feeding and keeping him company. The dog's unwavering loyalty struck a deep chord with the community, making the story widely known in Israel.

  - The Oketz Unit, Israel’s elite canine special forces, is another famous source of dog stories. The dogs in this unit are trained for military missions, including tracking, detecting explosives, and search and rescue operations. Many of these dogs are considered national heroes for their bravery in saving lives during dangerous missions. For example, there are stories of dogs in the Oketz Unit who detected bombs during the Second Lebanon War and in various operations in Gaza, preventing potential casualties. When one of these dogs dies in action, they are often honoured as fallen soldiers.

The Story of Lu-Lu the Dog and Gilad Shalit

   - When Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit was held captive by Hamas (from 2006 to 2011), his family’s dog, Lu-Lu, became a symbol of loyalty and hope. The black Labrador remained by the Shalit family’s side, comforting them during their long ordeal. Upon Gilad Shalit's release, Gilad and Lu-Lu reunited, bolstering the family's emotional resilience and the power of a dog’s companionship.

The Hero Dog of the Carmel Fire

   - During the 2010 Carmel Forest Fire, one of the worst natural disasters in Israeli history, a heroic dog named Shira became known for her bravery. Shira, a mixed-breed dog, guided her owner and several others through thick smoke and out of danger as the fire approached their area. Her keen instincts and loyalty saved lives, and she was later honoured for her actions during the crisis.

Dogs Rescued During Operation Protective Edge

   - During the 2014 Gaza War, also known as Operation Protective Edge, there were several stories of soldiers being saved by military dogs from the Oketz Unit. In one instance, a dog named Levi detected a tunnel that Hamas fighters were using to stage an ambush on Israeli forces. Levi's discovery helped avert a potentially deadly surprise attack, making him a hero in the eyes of the soldiers.

The Story of "Nili"

   - In the early days of Israeli independence, a dog named Nili became famous for her work with the Haganah. This Jewish paramilitary organisation later became part of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). Nili was trained to deliver messages across dangerous terrain and often accompanied Jewish fighters during the tumultuous period before and after the founding of Israel. Her story is part of the broader history of how animals played roles in Israel's fight for survival.

The Trojan Horse concept—something harmful disguised as beneficial or harmless—has appeared throughout history, literature, and even modern cybersecurity. Here are some notable Trojan Horse scenarios and stories, ranging from ancient tales to contemporary strategies:

 The Original Trojan Horse (Ancient Greek Mythology)

   - Story: The term "Trojan Horse" originates from the Greek myth of the Trojan War, famously recounted in Homer’s "The Iliad" and later in Virgil's "The Aeneid". The Greeks, unable to breach the walls of Troy after a decade of war, devised a plan to deceive the Trojans. They built a giant wooden horse, hiding soldiers inside, and pretended to sail away. Believing the horse to be a peace offering, the Trojans brought it into the city. Greek soldiers emerged from the horse at night and opened the gates for the returning Greek army, but the city was sacked.

   - Outcome: This story remains one of the most famous examples of deception in history and gave rise to the term "Trojan Horse" for any trick that causes an opponent to invite a foe into a secure place.

 The Wooden Horse Escape (World War II)

   - Scenario: A real-life parallel to the mythical Trojan Horse occurred during World War II when British POWs at Stalag Luft III, a German POW camp, built a vaulting horse as part of an escape plan.

   - Trojan Horse Strategy: Under the guise of using the horse for exercise, the prisoners dug a tunnel beneath it, hiding their digging equipment and dirt inside. Every day, they would move the horse to the dig site, and while some men exercised above, others dug beneath. The horse was then moved back into the camp at the end of the day.

   - Outcome: Three prisoners successfully escaped using this method. This daring escape became famous and was the subject of the book and film "The Wooden Horse".

 The Battle of Carthage (146 BC)

   - Scenario: During the Third Punic War, the Roman Republic laid siege to Carthage. After breaching the city walls, the Romans faced fierce resistance from the Carthaginians, who had built barricades in the streets. To break the final resistance, the Romans used deception.

   - Trojan Horse Strategy: Roman soldiers pretended to retreat, luring the Carthaginians out of their fortified positions. When the defenders pursued, the Romans launched a surprise counterattack, capturing critical parts of the city.

   - Outcome: The city of Carthage was ultimately destroyed, marking the end of the Punic Wars. This feigned retreat tactic is a classic military Trojan Horse strategy.

The Siege of Alesia (52 BC)

   - Scenario: During Julius Caesar's conquest of Gaul, the Gallic leader Vercingetorix retreated to the fortified city of Alesia, where Caesar laid siege.

   - Trojan Horse Strategy: While Caesar built fortifications around the city, he also set traps and built fake retreats to lure Gallic reinforcements into ambushes. He employed deception to divide and weaken the Gallic forces while maintaining a double-layer siege.

   - Outcome: The siege was successful, and Caesar’s tactics, including deceptive strategies, led to the final defeat of the Gallic forces, cementing Roman control over Gaul.