When war broke out in the Caucuses between Russia and Georgia, the government of Israel immediately knew it had a difficult situation in its hands. The early phases of the conflict forced Israel to walk a difficult diplomatic path. Before long, Israelis realized that the new global reality reflected by the conflict meant an even more challenging environment in which to handle threats to their security. The rumblings of a new Cold War could well mean that cooperation between the West and Russia on matters crucial to Israel, particularly Iran, is coming to an end. Even worse, a possible new cycle of strategic competition, perhaps a new arms race, between Moscow and Washington could become a game-changer in the Middle East. Israel has maintained a strong and friendly relationship with Georgia. At the same time, links with Moscow -- the traditional supporter of Israel's enemies during the Cold War -- have also improved markedly over the years. The new conflict placed Israel in a position where it might face a choice between betraying an old friend and antagonizing a country -- Russia -- with the ability to bolster Israel's most dangerous enemies.
A New Cold War Would Threaten Israel’s Security
