The political storm in Washington over North Korea’s alleged assistance for a nuclear reactor in eastern Syria may be welcomed by Arab states that favour more intense international pressure on Damascus, but the Arab public will greet the claims with scepticism.

Following the intelligence fiasco in Iraq, few people in the region believe what America says, particularly when it has anything to do with Israel, and while the latest allegations may be aimed at North Korea their impact will be to fuel speculation about a possible US or Israeli strike on targets associated with Syria or Iran.