... that threatens to challenge a very delicate balance of powers in Syria and perhaps in Lebanon as well. On the one hand, stronger ties between Moscow and Tehran could embolden Iran to be more assertive and aggressive in supporting its Shia clients in Syria and Lebanon, to the detriment of Israeli security. On the other hand, the Israeli leadership is under growing pressure from the West and a large part of the Israeli society to provide more support to Ukraine and to distance itself from Moscow. [
6
] This could result in Russian-Israeli ...
... level of the structure and concept of its national security has changed in a dramatic and fundamental way, and among those challenges are:
1- The axis of resistance now has huge armed capabilities that can cover the entire territory of the State of Israel.
2- The Syrian army and Hezbollah have offensive military experience as a result of the guerrilla war with terrorist movements supported by the West and Israel.
3- The Axis of Resistance developed its military strategy based on striking Israel’s air and sea ...
... agenda, as well as keep our expectations low as concerns possible breakthroughs on the profiles which will get certain US attention: the Iran nuclear deal, Syrian Kurds issue, reconciliation with Turkey, dealing with Libya, cultivating relations with Israel and Palestine.
Syria Is Not a Priority
Syria has never been a priority for the US foreign policy and will likely remain a second-tier issue for Biden and his team. In fact, some analysis of the US Middle East policy over the last decade shows consistency of approach....
... Eastern crises and to which extent the interests of Moscow and Tehran overlap or contradict each other. Some of the key issues of the political situation in the region were assessed, such as the situation in Idlib, the prospects for a political process in Syria, Israel’s role in the region’s future, the path to Syria’s reconstruction and the impact of U.S. policies on the emerging new order in the Middle East. Both Russia and the Islamic Republic of Iran regard each other as necessary components of the ...
... certain opportunities. It is important to remember that gas reserves in the Mediterranean shelf discovered in the XXI century total
over 3.8 trillion
cubic meters. The key fields are Zohr off the coast of Egypt, Tamar and Leviathan off the coast of Israel, and Aphrodite off the coast of Cyprus, etc. Additionally, the so- called Block 9 is in a part of the field disputed by Lebanon. We can suppose there are large gas reserves off the Syrian coast, as well. By 2020, development had already been launched on several fields but, on the whole, both this process and its implementation are proceeding in fits and starts since matters have to be approved and agreed between unstable governments ...
RIAC and ISPI Joint Report
RIAC and ISPI Joint Report
This Report brings together experts and scholars in an effort to ponder on possible post-pandemic trends in the Southern Mediterranean. The aim is to help readers navigate the future of the Southern Mediterranean region, by offering new insights and guidance to regional and non-regional governments, civil society, and the public at large.
After the Storm: Post-Pandemic Trends in the Southern Mediterranean
, 1.2 Mb
... the intra-Syrian dialogue into a single stabilization package.
Maxim Suchkov:
Russia in the Middle East: “Be with Us — and Remain Yourself”
Another important set of issues raised by our Damascus partners pertains to Russia being “an ally for Syria, Israel, Iran and Turkey” in the continuing conflict and to what the nature of Russia–U.S. contacts is.
It is no secret that the foreign political services of both countries have always maintained a working exchange of current information. This is ...
... see things the same way that they do.
If the alliances are no longer perfect, complete and mutually beneficial, then their underlying logic is now hugely different to what it had been in the past. We can see here how Russia may already be an ally for Syria, Israel, Iran and Turkey and be in a position to win their confidence. This was useful for the people of Syria, although it was also a source of anxiety for them. But this is the nature of world politics today, and the Syrian people need to “adapt” ...
The seminar was divided into two sessions: "Political instability in Lebanon and Iraq: View from Russia and Israel" and "Libya: between Turkey, Egypt and others?"
On July 28, 2020, Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC) together with the Center for Political Research, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel, with the support of the Embassy ...
... First Secretary of the Israeli Embassy in Moscow.
On July 7, 2020, Andrey Kortunov, RIAC Director General, held an online meeting with Jacob Livne, Chargé d'Affaires of Israel in the Russian Federation, and Yosef Zilberman, First Secretary of the Israeli Embassy in Moscow.
The discussion focused on the state and prospects for resolving conflicts in Syria and Libya, as well as Russia's role in the Middle East and North Africa. Andrey Kortunov informed Israeli diplomats about RIAC research activity on the Middle East project. The meeting also addressed the possibilities of expanding cooperation between ...
