Do not keep score in Russia’s polyamorous ties with Israel, Iran – Indian Punchline -
By M K Bhadrakumar – March 17, 2016
▻http://blogs.rediff.com/mkbhadrakumar/2016/03/17/do-not-keep-score-in-russias-polyamorous-ties-with-israel-iran
According to well-informed Israeli analysts, the current visit by President Reuven Rivlin to Moscow was literally decided by the Russian side who slotted it for March 16, which actually necessitated the cancellation of a previously scheduled visit by the president to Australia. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu simply prioritized that Russia ties are by far more important for his country at the present juncture of regional and international politics than anything Canberra could do for Tel Aviv.
Nothing would bring out better the superlative quality of Israel’s ties with Russia at present. Netanyahu has done brilliantly well in gaining mastery (although no Kremlinologist) over the art of pulling strings in Moscow and getting decisions taken by the Russian leadership that accommodate Israel’s vital interests and core concerns. A “highly placed Israeli military source” reportedly drove home the point recently that unlike what Turkey did, Israel will never shoot down a Russian jet if it strays away from Syria into Israeli skies – not even if it flies directly over Tel Aviv (here).
Something of the current flavour of the Israel-Russia ties is definitely surging at the meeting that Rivlin had with President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin on Wednesday, as evident from the Kremlin readout. Putin spoke of a “longstanding relationship… built on the basis of friendship and understanding”, and deep-rooted affinities in “culture and mentality” that impart a “special dimension” to the relationship. (Kremlin website)
Rivilin didn’t mince words – “We also need to work together to fight fundamentalist terror”. The irony couldn’t have been lost on Putin who would know that Rivilin was alluding to Russia’s key allies in Syria – Iran and Hezbollah. Indeed, how far this curious tango, built on the rock of crusade against ‘Islamic fundamentalism’ becomes sustainable in the long run remains to be seen. Israel is fast approaching the ‘T” junction – to be exact, in another 9 months from now when President Barack Obama leaves office and becomes history. What thereafter?