Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to Moscow on Monday will be held on the backdrop of a significant increase in the Russian military presence in Syria.

The Russian move is aimed at saving the Bashar Assad regime from a collapse – Russia appears to be the only world power supporting the Syrian president’s survival unconditionally – although it is still unclear how it plans to achieve this goal. Through extensive guidance of new recruits in the dwindling ranks of the Syrian army? By arming the Iranian army and Hezbollah units with upgraded weapons? Where is President Vladimir Putin leading the Middle East?

Netanyahu will likely be briefed on Putin’s intentions during his visit and will present Israel’s policy and its demands for an agreement on Syria’s future to the Russian president. Both Israel and Russia believe that Iran and Hezbollah together are incapable of saving the Assad regime despite their direct and prolonged involvement in the fighting. Their weakness stands out in light of their joint failure and raises doubts in Russia in terms of their quality as allies on the ground.

Read the article in full at Ynet.