Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin (right) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meet in Moscow Tuesday. Alexei Nikolsky/RIA Novosti/ReutersBloomberg: Russian Missile Sale to Iran Involves Unseen Deals With Israel
Last month, when President Vladimir Putin of Russia announced plans to sell a powerful anti-missile system to Iran before the lifting of international sanctions, Israel was quick to join the U.S. in expressing shock and anger.
But behind the public announcements is a little-known web of arms negotiations and secret diplomacy. In recent years, Israel and Russia have engaged in a complex dance, with Israel selling drones to Russia while remaining conspicuously neutral toward Ukraine and hoping to stave off Iranian military development. The dance may not be over.
Critics of the Russian move say it undermines efforts to apply pressure to Iran by removing one building block of a sanctions regime that will be hard to put back together. It would also enhance Iran’s defenses against a potential U.S. or Israeli attack, as both countries have said they’d consider using force if diplomacy fails.
WNU Editor: Russian - Israeli relations have always been very close .... especially in the past few decades when over a million Russian Jews emigrated to Israel. These Russian Jews may live in Israel .... but they still have family ties and friendships back in Russia. So .... did Russia clear with Israel the sale of the S-300s to Iran.... probably. Is there a quid pro quo .... also yes. What is that quid pro quo .... hmmm ... let us see .... Ukraine, Syria, Islamic State, Yemen, terrorism, etc. .... I am sure that there is something in that mix where they can find something that is mutually beneficial to both of them.
2 comments:
Wait... How is Russia selling the S-300 to Iran beneficial to Israel? An aerial assault on Iran's nuclear sites becomes infinitely harder if Iran is protecting them with the S-300.
Assuming the S-300 that Iran gets isn't compromised when the time comes.
Post a Comment