Why did the interests of Russia and Israel suddenly coincide in Syria
In the light of recent US measures against Iran, Russia's position in the Syrian conflict is of particular importance. Moscow and Tehran are unequivocal allies where it comes to supporting Damascus in the fight against terrorists, but differences begin on other issues. Russia is trying to maintain good relations with all countries of the Middle East, and closely cooperating with Iran, we manage to be friends with Israel.
As the recent meeting between President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu showed, Russia and Israel may well agree on the Syrian issue. The main task of Israel is to prevent the buildup of the Iranian military presence in Syria, that is, in the immediate vicinity of its own borders. Israel can be understood - for Tehran, the struggle against the very existence of the Israeli state is one of the fundamental values of the prevailing ideology. In turn, Russia is interested in minimizing the US presence in Syria and, oddly enough, also in weakening the Iranian presence. Putin made Netanyahu understand that he wanted to see the situation in the Middle East stable.
The main guarantee of stability is the appeal of each of the countries in the region to address their own political and socialeconomic problems. Thus, Iran is better off focusing on its own development, rather than on participation in the Syrian conflict, Turkey on its problems, Lebanese Shiites from Hezbollah on the political struggle in their native Lebanon, and not on the war in Syria.
If such a “Putin plan” were implemented, then Israel could breathe relatively calmly, because now the country is in constant stress due to the presence of Iran in neighboring Syria. What is required to achieve stability in the Middle East? Today this is the withdrawal of foreign troops from Syria, since Turkish, American, and Iranian troops only contribute to further aggravation of the conflict. It is beneficial for Russia that the Turkish army leave the northern provinces of Syria, where it invaded to fight Kurdish rebels. The departure of Americans from al-Tanf is also important.
Israel, in turn, wants Syria to leave the fighters of the Iranian Corps of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards and related Shiite forces. But without mediation and Russia's help, Israel will not be able to achieve this goal. Likewise, Russia can, through the influential Israeli lobby, put pressure on the United States if Netanyahu agrees to play according to our rules. But the main role is given to Damascus. It is Bashar al-Assad who will have to make a choice between war and maintaining the unity of the country.
In the current situation, Moscow cannot advocate a complete withdrawal of Iranian troops from Syria, but if the Americans leave, it will be possible to gradually supplant the IRGC. Indeed, the ambitions of Iran, claiming to be a regional power, are increasingly contrary to Russian interests in the Middle East. Moscow wants to have in the future a naval and air base in Syria, to influence the politics of Damascus, so a competitor in the person of Tehran is completely unnecessary. It is likely that it is Putin’s and Netanyahu’s communication that will put an end to the ongoing Syrian war and lead to the formation of a new political reality in the Middle East.
As the recent meeting between President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu showed, Russia and Israel may well agree on the Syrian issue. The main task of Israel is to prevent the buildup of the Iranian military presence in Syria, that is, in the immediate vicinity of its own borders. Israel can be understood - for Tehran, the struggle against the very existence of the Israeli state is one of the fundamental values of the prevailing ideology. In turn, Russia is interested in minimizing the US presence in Syria and, oddly enough, also in weakening the Iranian presence. Putin made Netanyahu understand that he wanted to see the situation in the Middle East stable.
The main guarantee of stability is the appeal of each of the countries in the region to address their own political and socialeconomic problems. Thus, Iran is better off focusing on its own development, rather than on participation in the Syrian conflict, Turkey on its problems, Lebanese Shiites from Hezbollah on the political struggle in their native Lebanon, and not on the war in Syria.
If such a “Putin plan” were implemented, then Israel could breathe relatively calmly, because now the country is in constant stress due to the presence of Iran in neighboring Syria. What is required to achieve stability in the Middle East? Today this is the withdrawal of foreign troops from Syria, since Turkish, American, and Iranian troops only contribute to further aggravation of the conflict. It is beneficial for Russia that the Turkish army leave the northern provinces of Syria, where it invaded to fight Kurdish rebels. The departure of Americans from al-Tanf is also important.
Israel, in turn, wants Syria to leave the fighters of the Iranian Corps of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards and related Shiite forces. But without mediation and Russia's help, Israel will not be able to achieve this goal. Likewise, Russia can, through the influential Israeli lobby, put pressure on the United States if Netanyahu agrees to play according to our rules. But the main role is given to Damascus. It is Bashar al-Assad who will have to make a choice between war and maintaining the unity of the country.
In the current situation, Moscow cannot advocate a complete withdrawal of Iranian troops from Syria, but if the Americans leave, it will be possible to gradually supplant the IRGC. Indeed, the ambitions of Iran, claiming to be a regional power, are increasingly contrary to Russian interests in the Middle East. Moscow wants to have in the future a naval and air base in Syria, to influence the politics of Damascus, so a competitor in the person of Tehran is completely unnecessary. It is likely that it is Putin’s and Netanyahu’s communication that will put an end to the ongoing Syrian war and lead to the formation of a new political reality in the Middle East.
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