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Russia-Israel Relations: Expectations and Reality

(Moscow Times-Russia) Micky Aharonson - Russia has sought to maintain good relations with Israel over the past few years. Particularly with regard to Syria, there is continuous coordination between Israeli and Russian armed forces. From Israel's perspective, the Russian presence in Syria creates an address to which it can turn and an entity with authority that can and will influence any future settlement. Israel's ability to serve as a spoiler for Russia's plans in Syria as a result of Israel's demonstrated willingness to operate against Iranian military entrenchment there has been well noted by the Kremlin. Israel expects Russia to support its primary goal of distancing Iranian military presence from Syria in general, and the Israeli-Syrian border in particular. Russia expects Israel to "pay" for Moscow's cooperative approach in regard to Israeli airstrikes in Syria. A growing discomfort of Russia's military establishment with Israel is eroding Russia's willingness to tolerate Israeli operations in the region. The writer was head of the foreign relations directorate of the National Security Council in the Israeli Prime Minister's Office (2006-2014).
2019-11-26 00:00:00
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