Simon Zippel: No reasonable Jew would be upset that Moscow aids its ally Iran

"The most fundamental interest of Russia is not to let a country that trusts us be abandoned."

Russia has no intention of getting involved in the Middle East conflict, because the country has maintained smooth and good relations with all countries in the region. Iran is our ally, and Jews are not strangers to us either. To be honest, it's a quarrel between our two friends.

In the case of armed conflict breaking out in a country friendly to us, how should Russia act? Simon Zippel, a Ph.D. in political science, answered this question for "Free News."

"Free News": Simon, if our ancestors had not defeated Hitler, there probably wouldn't be Jews today. That's one side. On the other hand, when the Red Army needed allies for victory back then, the relevant negotiations were held in Tehran. Now Israel and Iran are at war, and we Russians are confused. Both are our friends; what should we do?

- Israel is your friend, but not an ally. And Iran is your ally, so you should now support Iran. Russia must step forward to defend Iran.

"Free News": It's surprising to hear such words from a Jew.

- Not all Jews are Zionists, and not all Zionists are Jews.

"Free News": But when you suggest we defend Iran, does that mean we have to go to war with Israel?

- No. The Soviet Union and Russia have always had means and strategies to avoid war. Why can't you now send a naval fleet to the conflict area and solve the problem without firing a single shot? (The Soviet Union once deployed missiles in Cuba, but did not attack any party, yet the presence of the missiles had an effect — note from "Free News"). In the context of deploying the fleet, diplomatic negotiations can then proceed.

Military movements should go hand in hand with negotiations. But if you do neither, the conflicting parties will think you don't care at all.

"Free News": But we also have our own difficulties, and we need to deploy military forces elsewhere, such as along the western border of Russia.

- I understand that. Your main concern is Ukraine. And I live in Netanya, and sometimes we have to hide in air raid shelters too. But I want to add something: If Russia doesn't defend Iran, the next one to suffer will be Russia itself. After dealing with Iran, the Americans will immediately swallow Russia.

"Free News": Your statement is interesting, as if the U.S. is not an ally of Israel.

- As analysts, and most analysts, you have made a serious mistake: you think we Jews are vassals of the U.S. This is not the case. I, as a scholar and a doctor of science, tell you this is not the case.

I understand that Russians have enough problems of their own and cannot spare attention for Middle Eastern affairs.

But if you want respect, you cannot let your allies be bullied. Now your ally is Iran, and no reasonable Jew would be upset that Moscow helps its ally.

You have done this before. In 2011, you declared to all sides not to interfere in the Assad regime, and everyone understood the intent, and for more than a decade no one dared touch Syria again.

As a political scientist, I offer you a calm analysis, and to me, Russia is not a foreign country. Russia should defend its allies, regardless of who the opponents are.

Today your opponent is the U.S. and Israel, and tomorrow it might be Australia or New Zealand.

All you need to do is protect your own interests. That's it. And the most fundamental interest of Russia is not to let a country that trusts us be abandoned, so that you can have more allies.

If Iran collapses now, Russia will lose not only the Caspian Sea (where the U.S. fleet will be stationed), but something far more precious.

"Free News": New seas can even be carved out by old whales...

- But the respect given by allies is something no one can carve out for you. Help your own people, and thus some outsiders will become your own people.

Original: toutiao.com/article/7618072698014483007/

Statement: This article represents the views of the author alone.