Russia Moves In

Russia has swept into the Middle East. In a matter of weeks, it has established a daunting military presence in Syria. That presence includes some 1,500 troops along with artillery, tanks and fighter jets. According to intelligence news service, DEBKA, Russia’s presence also includes the arrival of the world’s largest nuclear submarine, Russia’s Tycoon-class Dmitri Donskoy.

According to Moscow, it is there to reinforce the blood-soaked regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Why? Ostensibly because of ISIS, also known as Islamic State. The Islamist terrorist organization, infamous for public beheadings broadcasted by social media, has raised alarms throughout the world. Interestingly, then, Russia has come to Syria for the same stated reason as the United States, Iran and Hezbollah. Like all the rest, Russia says it is there to defeat ISIS.

Undoubtedly, the demise of ISIS is one reason why Russia is establishing a military presence. But it is unlikely the only reason.

Based on its pattern of success in selling arms to Iran, Egypt and Israel, Moscow’s communist state is capitalizing on a booming market opportunity. As all semblance of regional stability dissipates, everyone on every side wants weapons and training. Russia has both and is ready to sell them—to everyone on every side. Iran is getting state-of-the-art missiles and MiGs while its sworn enemy, Saudi Arabia, is in the market for Russian defense systems. Hezbollah and Hamas are welcomed in Moscow while everyone else, it seems, is also coming to visit; dignitaries from Egypt to Turkey and eastward to Qatar.

But conventional arms are not the only thing that Russia has to sell. An even hotter item is nuclear power. Just like Iran, Saudi Arabia wants nuclear power plants. So do Egypt, Turkey and pretty much every other state in the roiling Middle East.

Sanctions relief from the pending nuclear agreement with Iran is about to infuse more than 100 billion dollars into the Islamic Republic and its well-known proxies: Hezbollah, Hamas, and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Russia sees the cash and is eager to take it. In exchange, it provides weapons and military support. Moscow’s support is beginning with Assad because of Tehran’s pledge to protect him. Hence, Moscow is in Syria today in order to protect its relationship with Iran. For Russia, the reborn Persian Empire is a goose that is laying golden eggs.