After processing numerous internet rumors, here is my speculative take: I believe that Syria was trying to facilitate the transfer of critical nuclear technology/materials from North Korea/Russia to Iran which would have given them a ballistic nuclear capability in weeks to months. US intelligence became aware, and decided to share the info with Israel under stringent security with very limited need to know. Israel conducted the raid to eliminate these assets, and the raid was successful. The French see the endgame and partially in response to this have changed sides, Syria, NK, Russia, and Iran are now the axis of evil.
Yours is as cogent a job of connecting the dots as I have read. Hangs together nicely. Good work.
One interesting point is that, if we knew this NK ship, reflagged as South Korean, was carrying NK nuke stuff, it would have been a simple matter to sink it at sea.
The fact we or the Israelis didn't do that, but waited until the "stuff" was in the Syrian bunker, says we wanted to send a "strong message" to both Syria and Iran.
About damn time!!