Russia’s Middle East strategy hinges on pragmatic balancing. It maintains ties with Israel, rooted in shared economic interests, cultural connections (via Russian-speaking immigrants), and tacit security coordination, like deconfliction in Syria. Simultaneously, Russia deepens military and economic links with Iran, including arms sales, energy cooperation, and support in Syria, viewing Tehran as a counterweight to Western influence. This dual approach risks strain—Israel’s concerns over Iran’s regional ambitions clash with Russia’s need to project power and secure allies. Yet, Moscow navigates this by avoiding firm commitments to either side, leveraging its role as a mediator while prioritizing its own geopolitical gains. Recent escalations, like Israel’s strikes on Iranian targets in Syria, test this delicate act, but Russia’s response—muted criticism or neutrality—shows its intent to preserve flexibility.