During the first Gulf War with Iraq, Russia had sent advisers into Iraq to assist the training of the Iraqi forces on the equipment supplied by the Russians.
Today they are back in the Middle East in the Gaza Strip to help the Palestinian Authority security forces enforce law and order. Much of the PLO's weapons and equipment has been provided by the former USSR.
Since the Israeli pull-out, law and order has been non-existent in the former Israeli territory. Former minister Nabil Amr pointed out that the PA's performance was rapidly deteriorating.
Referring to the ongoing state of lawlessness and anarchy, he said: “Gaza has witnessed the worst armed riots, including assassinations, kidnappings and raids on police stations in what resembles a mini civil war. Now we are witnessing a comical cabinet crisis, which no one knows how and when it began and whether it has ended or not.” The Jerusalem Post
It is obvious that Russia has a great interest in the Middle East. If not just for the land but possibly for the oil fields. Their presence in the Middle East does not set well with the Israeli people or government. Russia has been identified in Bible prophesy as the Magog/Gog who along with the Muslims, they attack Israel in a failed attempt to eliminate Israel.