Vlad The Invader and The Ayatollah.

As the war between the IRI, or Islamic Republic of Iran and Israel hots up, which way will Russia jump? Many would automatically think that Putin would throw his weight behind the land of the ayatollahs. The relationship between Russia and Iran is close, and pacts have been signed on many issues affecting both countries. Iran has supplied drones and missiles to help Russia in its struggle with Ukraine. Russia has provided military tech to Iran.

When Israel launched "Operation Rising Lion", a surprise Pearl Harbour- style attack on Iran, Russia condemned Israel's blatant operation on Iran. Russia said it was illegal for Israel to attack Iran, which is a fellow UN member. Which is rich coming from Russia, when they are engaged in a war with Ukraine. Nevertheless, Russia wasn't happy with the actions of Netanyahu. Bibi launches wars to keep himself and his fascist fanatics in power. Bibi has preached against Iran for 30 years, and now it seems he has taken his opportunity to sort out Iran: BIG TIME! He knows his time in office will come to an end. No man, no woman, no power lasts forever. So, while he is still PM, which protects him from prosecution, he has launched yet another war. This time against the puppet masters of Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis: Iran. Unless diplomacy brings this war to an end, Iran and Israel are locked in a war. A war that will not end until one side has bested the other. Failing that, a peace plan that satisfies all, and best of luck with that!

Russia is also friends with Israel. If Russia wants to maintain cordial relations with the world's only Jewish state, its approach to this war will have to be balanced. Putin and Netanyahu have a lot in common. They have been around for a long time. They espouse themselves as champions of their people. Both are wily and know how to work the political system. Both are authoritarian figures, some say fascist. Netanyahu wants to have a greater Israel. For Putin, it is to resurrect the Soviet Union. Both men are wanted as war criminals. Both men get on when in each other's company. Conversely, there has been no face-to-face meeting in yonks.

So will Russia come to Iran's aid? That is the $64,000 question. Despite Russia condemning Israel's actions, I doubt Russia will come galloping over the Zagros mountains (in Iran) like the US cavalry to save the day for the Ayatollahs. Russia may supply Iran with intelligence and some weapons. However, Russia may cast off Iran, because Russia makes the Iranian-supplied weapons under licence now. Russia abandoned Bashar al-Assad to his fate as his regime fell to a former Islamic State or Al Qaeda operative. So will Iran's fate be the same as the Syrian leaders, who now, as far as we know, reside in Russia.

One nationalistic Russian pundit, Sergey Mandan, thinks Russia should intervene on Iran's side. He reasons Iran's needs in the Middle East are the same as Russia's. That's because Israel aligns with the US, and Russia, like Iran, should then regard Israel as an enemy. No doubt, many Russians feel this, but for now, Putin is saying, at least in public, he stands in the middle of Iran and Israel's conflict.

So everyone is looking to Trump to broker a deal between Israel and Iran. But is he the only game in town? Well, could Putin, as an honest broker and in Vlad's case, I use the word "honest" loosely, get the two sides together?

One would think that with Putin's feet in the Israeli camp and the Iranian camp, bringing about a ceasefire would be achievable. However, in this world, ceasefires are suggested but never acted upon. And if they come into force, one side normally spoils it for the other. And off we go to war again.