It is therefore difficult to identify the significance of the visit

Putin pulls strings in Middle East
George Friedman

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Israel on June 25 for his first state visit since retaking the presidency. 

The visit was arranged in mid-May, and so at least part of the agenda was set, given events in Syria and Egypt. 

The interesting thing about Israel and Russia is that while they seem to be operating in the same areas of interest and their agendas seem disconnected, their interests are not always opposed. 

It is easy to identify places they both care about but more difficult to identify ways in which they connect. 

It is therefore difficult to identify the significance of the visit beyond that it happened.

An example is Azerbaijan. Russia is still a major weapons provider for Azerbaijan, but the Israelis are now selling it large amounts of weapons and appear to be using it as a base from which to observe and, according to rumors, possibly attack Iran. 

Read more: www.mercatornet.com