Russia-Israel: Syria as a New Determinant of the Bilateral Relation

Abstract

The Russian-Israeli relationship has expanded to the Syrian crisis.
Although there are persisting divergences that Russia and Israel seem
unable to overcome, they have nevertheless successfully forged a modus
operandi which allow them to interact as the two “neighbors” they are in
the Levant. Tel-Aviv have come to accept the fact that Russia is now a major
security actor in the Middle East while US interest for the region has waned.
Moscow, for its part, seems to understand Israel’s concerns regarding Iran’s
growing entrenchment in Syria. However, while seeking to strike a “grand
deal” on the Middle Eastern stage to convert its military success in Syria
into a regional diplomatic victory, the Kremlin is unlikely to play a key role
on the Israeli-Palestinian dossier. Israel, which has benefited a great deal
from the Trump administration’s approach to the region, is not willing to
let Russia plays the first role on that issue.