As Israel and the Arabs Battle, Moscow Collects the Dividends


 

Publication Date: September 1983

Publisher: Heritage Foundation (Washington, D.C.)

Author(s): James A. Phillips

Research Area: International relations

Keywords: Russia and Eurasia

Type: Report

Coverage: Israel Soviet Union

Abstract:

The Soviet Union has exploited the Arab-Israeli conflict to improve its strategic position in the Middle East, maximize its leverage over Arab client states, and showcase its support for "national liberation" movements. In return for arms supplies, military training, economic aid, and technical advice, it has received military bases, an entree into the Arab world, access to the PLO terrorist infrastructure, and a soapbox for disseminating its views on Middle Eastern affairs.