How Russian moves in Syria are linked to Moscow's Ukraine strategy
Large-scale exercises in the Mediterranean are meant both to increase capabilities in Syria and to send a message to NATO.
The Kremlin continues to put pressure on the West, demanding impossible security guarantees in Europe, building up troops near Ukraine and conducting military exercises one after another. Syria is also involved in Putin's tactics, albeit indirectly.
Israel was concerned after Syrian and Russian military jets conducted a joint patrol on Jan. 24 along Syria's airspace, including the Golan Heights area, Ynet reported. Now the IDF is trying to find out from their Russian colleagues why they wanted to organize patrols along the southern borders of Syria. The first interpretation is that the Russian side is trying to influence the activity of Israeli airstrikes on targets in Syria. The second interpretation is that amid tensions over Ukraine, Moscow is sending a signal to NATO that their military capabilities include the Middle East.
