Since becoming involved in the Syrian civil war in 2015, Moscow has set up a deconfliction channel with Jerusalem to avoid mishaps and pledged understanding for Israel's major concerns over Iranian entrenchment. However, Russia has also condemned Israeli airstrikes in Syria designed to prevent that very entrenchment.
Russia is taking advantage a lack of American policy in the region, but Jerusalem must appreciate that Moscow has more plans for the Mideast beyond Syria even as it has no choice but to continue cooperation.
Putin is due to firm up Russia’s proposals for Gulf security floated in a government document in July, which envisaged bilateral and multilateral consultations among stakeholders.
In view of Poland’s historical treatment of Jews, Israel must remain ever-vigilant that there be no falsification of history as Polish-Israeli relations develop.
While the Iranians want to use Syria as a base for attacking Israel, the Russians want to use it in order to restore their status as a regional power, and they have no intention of cooperating with the ambitions of the fundamentalist Islamist republic.
Analysts say nuclear-powered cruise missile project believed tied to deadly blast at test site features many technical difficulties, and risks could outweigh gains.
A new election poster of Netanyahu gloating about his relationship with the Russian authoritarian leader may have entirely missed the mark with younger Russian-speaking voters, revealing deep generational divides.
