russia

Attacks on Iranian targets in Syria serve Russian interests.
Col. Lerman of JISS: Down the road, what the Iranians want to do in Syria and what the Russians want to do in Syria are two totally different things.

Outwardly, Russia is loyal to the idea that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is the reason for Middle East unrest. This approach raises the bar on Palestinian demands and makes normal life in the region less likely.

Kremlin says Russia-US-Israel meeting 'very important’.
Dr. Eran Lerman, former Deputy NSC head: Meeting is Russian ‘slap’ at Iran.

Venezuela has become flash point between Russia and the US. The way in which America responds to Russian conduct in its backyard will influence Russia's international conduct in the future.

Netanyahu tells Putin Israel will continue to strike against Iran in Syria.
Dr. Jonathan Spyer: Israel needs Russia to remain on the ground, as an arbiter between Turks, Assad and Iran.

The Houthi rebellion in Yemen, with its horrendous consequences for the country's civilian population, is being instigated primarily by Iranian assistance and direction for the rebels, together with Russian growing involvement in the conflict. An end to the fighting therefore depends to a large extent on the willingness of external countries to continue their fomenting of the conflict.

Russia seeks to be more involved in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict by presenting it as critical to the stability of the whole Middle East. But the legitimacy that it accords to Hamas rules out deeper Russian involvement from Israel’s point of view.

So in Israel's election, who are the Russians for?
Col. (res.) Dr. Eran Lerman: Nobody should fall off their chair at the thought of a foreign country trying to influence another country’s elections. It happens all the time.

A Fragile Russian-Turkish Cease-fire In Syria’s Idlib.
Dr. Hay Eytan Cohen Yanarocak of JISS: Turkey is eager to exclude Syria from negotiations because it does not recognize the government of al-Assad and does not want to grant it legitimacy by engaging in talks.

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.