Monday, April 25, 2005
Russia and Israel
Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to visit Israel tomorrow. This is a remarkable milestone, marking the emergence of a new partnership.
Russia and Israel have been historically antagonistic - at least as long as Russia was part of the Soviet Union. Since the dissolution of the USSR, post-Soviet Russia has moved closer to a genuine partnership with Israel. This hasn't resulted in a break between Russia and the Arab states, but it has added a new stabilizing factor to the perennial Arab-Israeli conflict. The Soviet Union was not always a force for stability; it played a key role in precipitating the 1967 war. Russia's interest in the region is in large part economic. Putin very much wants trade ties with Israel - and to encourage investment by its community of Russian emigres.
Clearly opposition to terrorism is another common thread uniting the two states. Neither is in a position to appease the Islamists - Israel would have to surrender its existence and Russia would have to surrender Chechnya.
This is not yet the closest of bonds - not yet comparable to Israel's ties to India or the United States. Still, the Russia-Israel bond, and Putin's visit will be developments to watch.
Russia and Israel have been historically antagonistic - at least as long as Russia was part of the Soviet Union. Since the dissolution of the USSR, post-Soviet Russia has moved closer to a genuine partnership with Israel. This hasn't resulted in a break between Russia and the Arab states, but it has added a new stabilizing factor to the perennial Arab-Israeli conflict. The Soviet Union was not always a force for stability; it played a key role in precipitating the 1967 war. Russia's interest in the region is in large part economic. Putin very much wants trade ties with Israel - and to encourage investment by its community of Russian emigres.
Clearly opposition to terrorism is another common thread uniting the two states. Neither is in a position to appease the Islamists - Israel would have to surrender its existence and Russia would have to surrender Chechnya.
This is not yet the closest of bonds - not yet comparable to Israel's ties to India or the United States. Still, the Russia-Israel bond, and Putin's visit will be developments to watch.
