Russia-Israel Relationship: In the Perspective of the Syrian Civil War

Year 2020, Issue: 7, 90 - 104, 21.06.2021

Aref Bıjan

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to examine the dynamics of the Russian-Israeli relations since the beginning of the Syrian civil war in 2015. Moscow and Tel Aviv have deep historical ties in the political, military, economic and cultural spheres. Russia's important role in international developments, especially after Russia's intervention in the Syrian civil war in 2015 has forced Israel to expand relations with Russia due to threats from proxy forces of Iran and Hezbollah in southern Syria (Golan Heights). In this article, we seek to analyze the relations between Russia and Israel in the Syrian civil war and its consequences to the other countries within the context of the current geopolitical changes. Realpolitik-based national interests are key to explain the current level of diplomatic and security relations. Regarding the Syrian civil war, the relations between Russia and Israel warmed. The prospect of Russian policy in Syria deserves further attention for the security interests of Israel. The method in this paper is descriptive-analytical.

Keywords

Israel, Iran, Syria Crisis, Security Interests, Russia

Russia-Israel Relationship: In the Perspective of the Syrian Civil War

Abstract

Suriye İç Savaşı Perspektifinden Rusya-İsrail İlişkileri

Öz: Bu makalenin amacı, 2015 yılında Suriye iç savaşının başlamasından bu yana Rusya-İsrail ilişkilerinin dinamiklerini incelemektir. Moskova ve Tel Aviv'in siyasi, askeri, ekonomik ve kültürel alanlarda derin tarihi bağları bulunmaktadır, Rusya'nın uluslararası gelişmelerdeki önemli rolü, özellikle Rusya'nın 2015 yılında Suriye iç savaşına müdahalesinin ardından İran ve Hizbullah'ın vekil güçlerinin Suriye'nin güneyindeki (Golan Tepeleri) tehditleri sebebiyle İsrail’I Rusya İsrail'i Rusya ile ilişkilerini genişletmeye zorladı. Bu makalede, Suriye iç savaşında Rusya ve İsrail arasındaki ilişkileri ve bunun diğer ülkelere olan sonuçlarını mevcut jeopolitik değişimler bağlamında analiz etmek amaçlanmaktadır. Realpolitik temelli ulusal çıkarlar, diplomatik ve güvenlik ilişkilerinin mevcut seviyesini açıklamak için anahtardır. Suriye iç savaşı bağlamında, Rusya ile İsrail arasındaki ilişkiler ısındı. Rusya'nın Suriye'deki politikası beklentisi, İsrail'in güvenlik çıkarları için daha fazla ilgiyi hak ediyor. Bu makaledeki yöntem betimsel-analitiktir.

Keywords

Israel, Iran, Syria Crisis, Security Interests, Russia

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