Tag: Russia

While rarely discussed in the context of containing or rolling back Iranian regional influence and terrorism sponsorship, the war in Afghanistan is in fact an essential element of any coherent strategy to do so.

This Update deals with the aftermath of the incident on Tuesday, whereby the Syrian regime accidentally shot down a Russian military reconnaissance plane following an Israeli air raid on an Iranian arms facility in northern Syria. It also looks at the the larger strategic context for these events in Syria, especially the ongoing Israeli-Iranian conflict there.

A number of Gulf states are becoming increasingly frustrated by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas’ refusal to negotiate with Israel according to former Israeli Ambassador...

It seems that Israel opted to agree to imperfect understandings with Russia – which were probably subsequently enshrined in the US-Russia summit – regarding the Syrian regime’s return to the south

The meeting in Helsinki between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin has been surrounded by controversy...  However, the two leaders were also apparently able to discuss some mutual interests, including a common concern for the security of Israel

Today's Update looks at the latest developments in southern Syria, as the Assad regime, with the vital assistance of Russia and Iran, moves to retake the area around Daraa and Quneitra, near Israel's border. The ongoing Iranian presence in Syria is a major security challenge for Israel, and there is ongoing tension between the two countries.

Dr Jonathan Spyer of the Middle East Centre for Reporting and Analysis appeared on ABC News24 with Bev O'Connor on June 19 to discuss the complex situation in Syria as the civil war draws to an end.

Dr Jonathan Spyer of the Jerusalem Institute for Strategic Studies discusses how the interests of Russia, Iran and Israel are influencing the situation in Syria as the civil war draws to an end.

Last week, it was announced that Russia and Israel have reached an agreement to keep Iranian forces away from Israel's border with Syria. Israel has long seen an Iranian presence along its northern border with Syria as a significant threat - not least because it allows the potential for rocket fire into Israel from Syria of the sort that occurred on May 10, sparking a major clash.

Professor Efraim Inbar of the Jerusalem Institute for Strategic Studies discusses Turkey and Israel's strategic positions, plus recent developments in Syria.