A Conversation With Ehud Barak

Can you say anything about the raid that Israel waged into Syria, supposedly against a nuclear facility, last September?

No.

Do you think that the Syrian track should be pursued?

I think that we have shown . . . a respect for Syria, its interests and its leaders. We expect from them to do the same regarding Israel. If this basic kind of element will be there, I think a Syrian track is . . . potentially positive.

I thought the U.S. has opposed Israel negotiating with Syria.

I think they realized in recent years that we understand the Syrian issue better.

There is a rumor that Pakistan is helping Saudi Arabia build a nuclear program.

I don't want to . . . I have no information.

It's clear that the real risk with Iran turning nuclear is that it will be the end of the non-proliferation regime because it will open the door on active proliferation. We already had a wake-up call from the case of A.Q. Khan, who was ready to sell to anyone, especially if he was a good Muslim. It's very dangerous that we will end up in 10 to 15 years with a nuclear device in the hands of terrorists.

You think in 10 years?

It's possible.