Comment by JumpCrisscross

> the Levant separated the empires of Mesopotamia and Anatolia from Egypt. The numerous battles that happened at Meggido

The Egyptians were a major force in fomenting regional frictions with Israel. And the Levant remains a crossroad—it borders by land or sea the spheres of influence of the EU, Russia, Turkey, Iran, the Gulf monarchies, Egypt and America.

> convincing rulers in the Levant to ally themselves more closely with them at the expense of the Assyrians

Iran versus the West (and Gulf monarchies) in literally Syria.

The region isn’t pre-destined for chaos. But the geography and history make peace difficult. (There is always another person who can “legitimately” claim some land when you’re sited next to the cradle of civilisation.)