Israel Matzav

A Russian Ruse

The Israelis were not the only ones duped by Putin. In recent years, Middle East analysts in the U.S. and Europe have viewed Russian-Israeli relations through rose-tinted glasses. Leading defense analysts published articles in nationwide Russian newspapers calling for expanded military cooperation between Moscow and Jerusalem, while in Israel, Ha'aretz and the Jerusalem Post sang Putin's praises. Even in Washington, typically sober Putin-watchers praised the Russian president for recognizing Israel as a "strategic ally." One researcher writing recently for the influential Middle East Quarterly asserted that Putin was pursuing a deliberately "pro-Israel" policy.

Nothing could have been further from the truth. Even as the Kremlin signed weapons deals with Jerusalem, the Russian government sold high-end surface-to-air missiles to Syria — a rogue nation which supports Hezbollah operations out of Lebanon. Of even greater danger, Russia continued construction of a nuclear reactor in Bushehr, Iran — even after Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad called for Israel to be "wiped out from the map of the world." Throughout, Putin remained steadfast in his refusal to recognize Hamas and Hezbollah as terrorist organizations. Russian officials sought help from Israeli intelligence services in dealing with their "Chechen problem" while continuing to support terrorist organizations calling for the destruction of Israel.

If there is any silver-lining to Putin's invitation to Hamas, it is the exposure of Putin's true colors. Putin has crafted a two track, deliberately ambiguous policy towards the Middle East, allowing Russia to feign friendly relations with Israel while also developing competing interests with Arab countries in the Middle East. The Kremlin operates according to Lord Palmerston's old adage that "Nations have no permanent friends and no permanent enemies; only interests." While a clever strategy for a weakened Russia, Putin's duplicity poses serious dangers to the region.

This is not the first time that Putin has used Israel as a marionette, nor will it be the last. Only last April, having failed to stop the color revolutions sweeping through the former Soviet republics, and facing falling polling numbers, Putin asked Israeli officials if he could travel to Jerusalem. Putin's visit laundered his image, but not his policy. His latest offer to Hamas comes as Moscow seeks to reaffirm its standing as a major international actor.

So long as U.S., Israeli, and certain European statesmen believe that Putin shares their interests on matters of geopolitics, let alone energy security, they will see their interests undermined again and again. Moscow's gala for Hamas should serve as evidence to the West that Putin is as likely to be working against them as with them.

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posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 6:28 PM