Israeli Analysis: Putin is Using Syria to Dominate the West

Israel’s Institute for National Security Studies recently released an analysis of Russia’s growing intervention in Syria and what that translates into regarding Putin’s political goals on the global scene. It is a fascinating, concise read that honestly addresses Putin’s desire for global domination. While American politicians and Presidential candidates continue to delude the voting public into thinking Putin is taking on an international role so we don’t have to, Israelis are confronting what is rapidly becoming the number one global threat:

It appears that beyond saving Assad’s regime, the Russian move, executed under the guise of fighting the Islamic State, is intended to advance Russia’s global aspirations and advance its effort for a senior role in the international arena. For good reason Putin compared the current circumstances to the World War II era and the need to reach understandings between the superpowers, similar to the Yalta Conference on the Crimean Peninsula that was designed to divide the spheres of influence between them after the war. Putin views his willingness to intervene directly in the Syrian quagmire by turning the crisis in that country into a lever of influence that will provide Russia with a position of strength vis-à-vis the West and aid it in easing the pressure leveled on it due to its policy in Ukraine.

Questioning Russia’s strategic goals, the INSS posits a number of theories, none of which are good:

It appears that beyond saving Assad’s regime, the Russian move, executed under the guise of fighting the Islamic State, is intended to advance Russia’s global aspirations and advance its effort for a senior role in the international arena. For good reason Putin compared the current circumstances to the World War II era and the need to reach understandings between the superpowers, similar to the Yalta Conference on the Crimean Peninsula that was designed to divide the spheres of influence between them after the war. Putin views his willingness to intervene directly in the Syrian quagmire by turning the crisis in that country into a lever of influence that will provide Russia with a position of strength vis-à-vis the West and aid it in easing the pressure leveled on it due to its policy in Ukraine.

… in any scenario, Russia is not expected to relinquish dominance in the Syrian arena and in processes designed to shape the country once the civil war is over, nor is it expected to forfeit its foothold in the Middle East.

…Russian intervention is in essence intended to challenge Western interests in the area, with emphasis on those of the United States. President Putin is attempting to build an image of the one who volunteered to save the Middle East after the United States brought about regional chaos. In this way, Russia is open to dialogue with the West in order to advance Moscow’s global interests.

INSS views Netanyahu’s harried meeting with Putin at the end of September as one that put off a serious analysis of Russia’s relationship with Iran and growing involvement in Syria.  As Dr. Aaron Lerner notes, Putin has already openly lied to Netanyahu about the types of weaponry being fired at Israel from across the Golan Heights. In other words, Netanyahu’s visit with Putin was nothing more than a photo op. Let’s hope the Israeli government, while treating it as such, isn’t hesitating to look beneath the surface.