"Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu flew to Moscow on Monday to seek reassurance from President Vladimir Putin about Russia's military deployment in Syria and to lay out Israel's concerns about the risk of weapons reaching militants on its borders.
With fighter planes part of the rapid Russian build-up, Israel is worried about the threat of fire accidentally being traded with Russian forces, especially since it has carried out air raids against militants in southern Syria and Lebanese Hezbollah fighters suspected of smuggling arms.
A former strategic adviser to Netanyahu said the Israeli leader would try to work out "ground rules" with Putin about avoiding such clashes." Reuters
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Explain it to me. What is Bibi's leverage with Putin?
When dealing with the US Congress he can threaten the illegal deployment of AIPAC's galaxy of satellite pressure groups and their money for and against individual members of congress.
In dealing with the president of the US (this president) he can imply that money might not be available for construction and maintenance of a presidential library or for post-presidential ventures of various kinds.
What is his leverage with Putin? Is there a Russian equivalent of AIPAC? I don't think so. Russians are notoriously and historically anti-Semitic. The FSB and militia (police) are still powerful in a country which has a long tradition of police controls over political activity and opposition to the government.
Natanyahu wants to tell Putin and Lavrov what they may and may not do with Russian forces in Syria? He wants to tell them that they must not let Hizbullah have Russian equipment?
What is his leverage? Is it the US Air Force and US Navy? I don't think so. pl
http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/09/21/us-mideast-crisis-israel-russia-idUSKCN0RL0GV20150921