Russian build-up in Syria puts Israel on the back foot

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There is a saying, ‘misfortunes never come singly’. That must have been the thought on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netayahu’s mind as he headed for Moscow Monday on what the Russians described as a 3-hour “short working visit” – a call on President Vladimir Putin at his residence in city suburbs for what a top Kremlin official forecast would be “a business and frank conversation” (read plain-speaking), and back to the airport on the return journey. We don’t know whether Putin hosted a lunch for ‘Bibi’.

The Russian military build-up in Syria comes as a big setback to Netanyahu’s regional policies. And it comes immediately after the spectacular defeat he suffered in the campaign to kill the Iran nuclear deal.

In the normal course, the Syrian developments should have prompted Netanyahu to huddle together with the American president, but the White House has earmarked a slot for the Israeli leader in November. The Israel-US relations are in visible difficulty, and on top of it now, a cloud of uncertainty has appeared over Israel-Russia ties as well. It is a moment of reckoning for Israeli diplomacy.

Netanyahu’s office had said he would discuss with Putin “the stationing of Russian forces in Syria… (and) will present the threats posed to Israel as a result of the increased flow of advanced war material to the Syrian arena and the transfer of deadly weapons to Hezbollah and other terror organizations”.

http://atimes.com/2015/09/russian-build-up-in-syria-puts-israel-on-the-back-foot/

[TubbersUK]

1. This is interesting

Last edited Tue Sep 22, 2015, 09:53 AM - Edit history (1)

I knew that Israel has been treating wounded Al-Nusra fighters in the Golan - I assumed that their involvement went beyond that but couldn't find any references. It's an aspect of the Syrian situation that seems to be rarely covered in the media.

"Without doubt, Israel’s dealings with the al-Qaeda affiliates operating in Syria are known to Moscow. In a series of reports to the UN Security Council, the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force documented numerous instances of Israeli military’s dealings with the radical Islamist groups on the Israeli-Syrian border of the Golan Heights.

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2. The Israeli gov't is not of one mind about Syria, but there has been some footsie played with the

rebels, and the IDF has made a habit of shooting at Assad's forces when it has been shot at by the rebels.

So yeah, I don't think either Israel or the Sauds can rely on Putin to worry about their interests, but he probably won't go out of his way to annoy them either, if they don't go out of their way to annoy him.

[oberliner]

3. Which is the progressive side to support in Syria?

It's hard to stay up on what the right position is to have.

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4. I support the Kurds. They seem pretty progressive.

Nobody else really fits. Among the non-progressive sides I support Assad rather than IS.

[oberliner]

5. The Kurds ought to have their own state

Or at least one in which they can live freely and safely.

[bemildred]

6. Yep, I agree, carve it out of Syria, Iraq, Iran, and Turkey.

Make sure they get a good hunk.

[oberliner]

7. Who is going to do the carving?

It doesn't seem like that is going to fly unfortunately.

[bemildred]

8. Oh, are we talking about reality here now? nt

[6chars]

11. progressives should give the Kurds some attention

They essentially get none at all. Not a cool cause.

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9. Russia sending thousands of troops, dozens of jets to Syria

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Analyst Jeffrey White of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy said the buildup belied Russian claims that the buildup is intended to help Assad fend off advances by the Islamic State group.

“They are not going to sit around and defend the airfield or maybe even the province of Latakia,” White said. “This kind of aircraft suggests that the Russians intend to exert their combat power outside of Latakia in an offensive role.”

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“There was readiness to make sure that whatever Russia’s intentions for Syria, Russia will not be a partner in extreme actions by Iran against us,” the prime minister said.

Israeli and Russian military leaders are slated to meet in the coming weeks to begin discussing coordination of their activities in Syria, officials said Monday night, according to Hebrew-language media reports.

http://www.timesofisrael.com/russia-sending-thousands-of-troops-dozens-of-jets-to-syria/

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10. Hezbollah said pulling back from Syria fighting

Hezbollah militants fighting alongside Syrian troops say they plan to shift to a defensive posture after helping President Bashar Assad win back a key border town, Lebanese media reported Tuesday.

Officials from the Lebanon-based Islamist organization informed Damascus that they would no longer help Assad with offensives against rebel groups, according to the Beirut-based Daily Star.

The move comes as both Russia and Iran appear to be increasing direct military support for the Assad regime, four and a half years into a bloody civil war.

The Iran-backed Shi’ite militia has suffered heavy casualties fighting in Syria since entering the war, with some estimating the Lebanese group has lost over 1,000 fighters.

http://www.timesofisrael.com/hezbollah-said-pulling-back-from-syria-fighting/

[geek tragedy]

12. This after Israel sided with Putin against Obama over Crimea.

Enjoy your new BFF, Bibi.

[bemildred]

13. Well, you have to understand, Obama couldn't pencil him in until Nov. 9th.

Bibi did seem eager to get along with Putin. I thought it was a little unseemly.