russia

Russia and Israel step back from brink after Syria downs military plane.
Dr. Jonathan Spyer: Russia will not stand in the way of Israeli operations to stop Iranian expansion, knowing how existential they are seen in Jerusalem.

Kremlin Chilly to Syrian Condolences for Deadly Plane Downing.
General Amidror: It was not our mistake, and we did whatever was needed to prevent any harm to any Russian forces.

Russia Rages at Israel After Syria Downs Russian Plane, Key Israeli Delegation Goes to Moscow.
General Amidror: It is very important for Israel to prevent the Iranians from building this independent war machine in Syria and to prevent the Iranians from transferring game-changer weapons systems into the hands of Hezbollah.

Russia is actively promoting international involvement in the reconstruction of Syria as a humanitarian effort aimed at creating the conditions for refugees to return, but in practice this will reinforce the foundations of Assad’s rule and territorial control. The US is in no hurry to respond, but the Russian initiative will not remain unanswered.

The US is failing to appreciate the significance of the leverage points that the Syrian arena provides for Russia. This leverage allows Russia to exact a heavy toll for the measures the US is demanding.

Turkey faces few good options as the Idlib offensive looms.

Syria in Gaza, Without the Russians.
Dr. Eran Lerman: The Gaza Strip is a microcosm of what is happening throughout the region - a reflection of the broader conflicts throughout the Middle East.

on the nexus between Syria, Iran, Russia and Israel
Dr Jonathan Spyer  discusses how the interests of Russia, Iran and Israel are influencing the situation in Syria as the civil war draws to an end.

It's not an Assad victory — it's a frozen conflict.

Don't congratulate the administration on avoiding Russian retaliation. The humanitarian crisis in Syria remains, and the real collision course here is between Israel and Iran.