Straddling the divide between the chaos in Syria and the calm of
the Galilee in northern Israel is a pastoral plateau known as
the Golan Heights. Famous for its world-class vineyards,
wandering cattle, and lush nature trails, the Golan has served
as the disputed frontier between the two long-time adversaries
since the aftermath of the Six-Day War in 1967. This small but
strategic piece of land — negligible in size next to the vast
territory of the entire Middle East — has been a point of
contention on the Levant for over four decades. Claimed by
Damascus but administered by Jerusalem since its annexation in
1981, the Golan is land in limbo. The international community
has refused to recognize Israel's control of the Golan for over
45 years. Condemned by United Nations Security Council
Resolution 497, Israel's actions are officially considered "null
and void and without international legal effect." Even the
United States refuses to acknowledge Israel's position, with
every president since Gerald Ford preferrin