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Putin's Visit and Israeli-Russian Relations
Russian
President Vladimir Putin arrived in Israel on June 25 for his first
state visit since retaking the presidency. The visit was arranged in
mid-May, and so at least part of the agenda was set, given events in
Syria and Egypt. The interesting thing about Israel and Russia is that
while they seem to be operating in the same areas of interest and their
agendas seem disconnected, their interests are not always opposed. It is
easy to identify places they both care about but more difficult to
identify ways in which they connect. It is therefore difficult to
identify the significance of the visit beyond that it happened.
An example is Azerbaijan. Russia is still a major weapons provider for Azerbaijan, but the Israelis are now selling it large amounts of weapons and appear to be using it as a base from which to observe and, according to rumors, possibly attack Iran. Russia, which supports Armenia, a country Azerbaijan fought a war with in the late 1980s and early 1990s and is technically still is at war with, ought to oppose Israel's action, particularly since it threatens Iran, which Russia does not want attacked. At the same time, Russia doesn't feel threatened by Israeli involvement in Azerbaijan, and Israel doesn't really care about Armenia. Both are there, both are involved and both think Azerbaijan is important, yet each operates in ways that ought to conflict but don't. Read More »
Comments? Send them to responses@stratfor.com
An example is Azerbaijan. Russia is still a major weapons provider for Azerbaijan, but the Israelis are now selling it large amounts of weapons and appear to be using it as a base from which to observe and, according to rumors, possibly attack Iran. Russia, which supports Armenia, a country Azerbaijan fought a war with in the late 1980s and early 1990s and is technically still is at war with, ought to oppose Israel's action, particularly since it threatens Iran, which Russia does not want attacked. At the same time, Russia doesn't feel threatened by Israeli involvement in Azerbaijan, and Israel doesn't really care about Armenia. Both are there, both are involved and both think Azerbaijan is important, yet each operates in ways that ought to conflict but don't. Read More »
Comments? Send them to responses@stratfor.com
