Russia and Israel in the Changing Middle East. Conference Proceedings. Memorandum № 129, July 2013.

Editor: Magen Zvi, Naumkin Vitaly

Tel Aviv, 2013, 107 p.

This collection of articles, a joint publication of the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) and the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, is an outgrowth of a conference sponsored by the two institutes. Various positions on the most urgent international and regional issues of the day are presented here, including assessments of the situation in the Middle East and Russia-Israel political and economic bilateral relations. On the bilateral level, Russia and Israel share good relations that have evolved over the years. Russia sees Israel as a strategic and economic partner and seeks to develop common ground to enhance cooperation with Israel. The political arena includes Russia’s efforts to promote its international stature, as well as its global and regional interests. Even though Russia is not in a position to play a leading role in the Middle East, it still tries hard to wield influence in the region, particularly in its attempts to serve as a regional mediator. For its part, Israel is closely watching Russia’s response to the threats that could challenge its security and regional interests, led by Iran’s ongoing attempts to acquire a nuclear capability and the changing situation in neighboring states.