russia

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.

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.