Kimberly Marten (Professor of Political Science, Barnard College) published an article in the Washington Quarterly on Russia-Israel Relations. She argues that Russia made a curious strategic decision in choosing to support Hamas over Israel following Hamas’s Oct. 7, 2023 terrorist attacks on Israel. This harmed Russia’s security relationship with Israel, and risks an unintended escalation of the conflict in Syria. After considering several explanations, she concludes that this was likely a response to Russia’s growing dependence on Iran for the weapons it uses in its own war in Ukraine. Russia chose Iran (not just Hamas) over Israel. This is a major change in Moscow’s longstanding policy of balancing among key states in the Middle East, and demonstrates the growing sway of Iran.

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