Israel Seeks Stronger Security Ties with Russia

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Israel is evaluating ways of enhancing the security cooperation with Moscow without jeopardizing its pre-eminent partnership with the U.S.

According to Defense News acknowledging a shared frustration with Saudi Arabia and other U.S. allies in the gulf over Washington’s perceived wavering on Iran and diminishing regional influence, Israeli officials are seeking to cultivate additional sources of support for its diplomatic and security agenda.

“The Americans have a lot of problems and challenges around the world that they need to solve and they have problems at home. We need to understand them and how that affects our place in the global arena,” said Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman.

An outspoken and controversial political ally of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Lieberman was reinstated as Israel’s chief diplomat after being cleared last week of longstanding corruption charges. Speaking Nov. 20 as Netanyahu traveled to Moscow for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Lieberman said Israel should strengthen ties with other powers as a means of advancing critical security interests in the region.

iHLS – Israel Homeland Security

Specifically, Israel hopes to forestall for as long as possible Russian deliveries of S-300 long-range air defense systems that would significantly complicate potential Israeli strikes.

In interviews here, Israeli sources said S-300 sales to Iran and Syria were a major agenda item at the Netanyahu-Putin talks. Sources declined to provide details, yet indicated Russia will continue to wait to implement contracts signed nearly seven years ago with both countries