For over 30 years, Israel tried swapping land for peace with its Arab neighbours. Those wishful political plays didn’t work out so well, but Israel’s latest foray — a hard-headed deal with Russia for cash and future considerations — holds more promise. In this unfolding new deal, Israel parts with a share of its lucrative offshore gas field in the Mediterranean, while Russia parts company with Israel’s enemies in Syria and Iran. Russia secures quite separate gains. Win-win for Israel and Russia. Lose-lose for Israel’s and Russia’s various rivals… In jointly exploiting Mediterranean gas, Russia stands to gain diplomatically, Israel stands to gain militarily, and both stand to gain financially. They say politics makes for strange bedfellows. Geopolitics can make for sound businesses. Full story here

(Dr. Benny Peiser)