Israel’s Channel 2 TV News show reported Friday that the IDF’s “Eros B” spy satellite had found evidence of Russian “Iskander” medium-range and nuclear capable ballistic missiles at a military base controlled by forces loyal to the Assad regime in Latakia, Syria. The discovery indicates intentions for a much deeper involvement in the Middle East by Russia than Moscow has previously admitted.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu led a chorus of social and political leaders in Israel calling on President Reuvin Rivlin to issue a pardon in the case of IDF Sgt. Elor Azaria, who was convicted of manslaughter on Wednesday in military court for shooting a disarmed and subdued terrorist in Hebron in March. The case has led to a highly emotional debate in Israel and is threatening a major crisis in the government and society.

The investigation into allegations of corruption by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continued Thursday evening as he was questioned under caution by the Lahav 433 National Fraud Unit of the police. Legal experts expect there will be at least one more questioning sessions while lawyers for the Prime Minister have said he can be “very relaxed” at this point in the investigation.

The Dutch Ministry of Defense is reportedly leaning towards favoring Israel Military Industries to install its Iron Fist active protection system (APS) on the Dutch Army’s CV90 Infantry Fighting Vehicles. The upgrades are also being seriously considered by the US military for its armored vehicles and other countries are reportedly also interested.

Baseball fans in Israel were treated to a rare opportunity this week to meet professional players from the US. The 10 Jewish players from various Major League teams are in Israel as part of their participation on the Israel National Team in the upcoming World Baseball Classic in March in South Korea. The players, many of whom came with their families, will tour various sites and help initiate a new center for the development of baseball in Israel to be built this summer in Beit Shemesh.

There is no doubt that the new administration’s policy on Russia will affect the Middle East and all the processes underway there, including Russian involvement in Syria. Islamic forces seeking to augment their power are striving to exploit state governments weakened by the upheavals afflicting the region.

The essays in Strategic Survey for Israel 2016-2017, the latest volume in the series published annually by the Institute for National Security Studies, were written and compiled during a period of upheaval and instability in Israel’s strategic environment. In many respects, this upheaval continues the trends that have marked the Middle East and much of the international arena in previous years.