Russian researcher prepares for looming Israeli assault on Lebanon

Al Jazeera discloses that as tensions escalate in the Middle East, Anna Levina, a Russian researcher and photographer based in Beirut, prepares for the looming threat of an intensified Israeli assault on Lebanon.

She still has non-perishable items from last October, when hostilities began between Hezbollah and Israel. “The situation is, of course, unsettling, but I’ve been expecting this moment for a year,” Levina remarked, referring to the recent surge in Israeli airstrikes across various regions of Lebanon, including Beirut, which have resulted in over 2,000 deaths.

On October 1, Israel also commenced ground operations in southern Lebanon, engaging in combat with Hezbollah fighters. Levina described how Israel is targeting residential buildings, noting an airstrike just three kilometers away at a medical facility. “It’s challenging to manage this on a human level,” she expressed. 

For Russia, her homeland, the escalating conflict between Israel and its neighbors poses significant strategic challenges, according to analysts. Under President Vladimir Putin, Russia's foreign policy has centered on promoting a "multipolar world" as an alternative to the US-led global order. 

With the increasing likelihood of direct conflict between Israel and Iran, as well as the war spreading into Lebanon, what implications does this latest crisis have for Russia's interests as a global power? “The ongoing escalation of the Arab-Israeli conflict is a major concern for Russia,” said Alexey Malinin, founder of the Center for International Interaction and Cooperation and a member of the Digoria Expert Club think tank, in an interview with Al Jazeera. He pointed out Russia's consistent calls for a diplomatic resolution, but noted that these efforts are often met with resistance, particularly from the US, which supports Israel militarily in nearly every situation. 

This support, he added, effectively transforms Lebanon into a battleground, undermining claims of US intentions to foster peace in the region. Unlike the unwavering support from the United States and its allies for Israel, Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has criticized the deployment of Israeli troops in Lebanon, calling for their withdrawal. 

Additionally, Russia condemned the assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, asserting that Israel “bears full responsibility for the resulting escalation.” However, as the conflict extends, particularly involving Iran, analysts note that Russia's objectives are influenced by factors beyond its broader foreign policy principles.

By Naila Huseynova