There are intriguing conversations going between Russia and Israel over Syria. Russia may be able to rein in Iran and Hisbollah, which will lessen danger to Israel’s north. In return, Israel may accept the Assad regime’s presence in a truncated state running from the Mediterranean to Damascus. Israel is especially concerned with the area just to the east of the Golan Heights which is in rebel hands. Ideally, it would be Druze autonomous zone.
Low oil prices and overseas expenditures are causing financial strain inside the Kingdom. Oil prices are expected to rise only slowly over the next few years and Riyadh is financing Egypt, Syrian rebels, Yemeni Sunnis, and a network of Salafi schools in the region. Cutbacks in domestic spending may cause unrest.
Russia building military base near Japan
Following Chinese construction of military bases in the South China Sea, Russia is building one on one of the Kurils Islands. Russia seized the islands at the close of WW2 and Japan has never recognized Russian control. This move is part of a concerted Russian-Chinese effort to challenge American power apron there world.