Israeli-Russian Relations in the Context of the Syrian Civil War

The Polish Institute of International Affairs is an analytical institution established by an act of Parliament in 1996 to carry out research and provide expertise in international affairs. PISM disseminates information on contemporary international issues and maintains contacts with academic and political centres in Poland and abroad. The Institute runs courses for public servants, maintains a library (open to the public; 165,000 books and journals), organises conferences, and publishes books, periodicals and documents on Polish foreign policy and international matters.

The funding for PISM comes from the budget. The director is appointed by the prime minister for a term of five years, following consultation with the minister of foreign affairs. The minister supervises the Institute and appoints its advisory council, which includes a representative of the President of the Republic of Poland, academics and officials.Israeli-Russian relations after Russia’s entry into the Syrian civil war gained a new dimension. Any military action undertaken by Israel against its regional opponents—Hezbollah and Iran—had to reckon with the Russian military presence in Syria. Maintaining good bilateral relations remained one of the main objectives of the foreign policy of both states, although the strategic interests of Russia and Israel in the region remain contradictory. Enhanced cooperation with Russia might adversely affect relations with other Israeli partners, but the nature and intensity of this cooperation might be influenced by the policies of the new U.S. administration and developments in Syria.