Russia: Putin's Attempt to Prevent 'Revolutions' Starts in Israel

Russian President Vladimir Putin's current visit to the Middle East is more about Russia than the region's affairs. Putin is asking Israel — and by extent, the United States — to stop supporting the Russian Jewish oligarchs who play prominent roles in Russia's pro-Western opposition. Postponing the sentencing of Russian Jewish billionaire Mikhail Khodorkovsky is a signal to that end; in return for the United States and Israel softening toward Russia, Putin will agree to a minor sentence for Khodorkovsky and will not pursue Russia's oligarchs anymore. Middle Eastern regional issues are important but not critical, given the decline in Russia's status and influence in the region — which this visit will not stop.