Israel, Russia and the US: A Strange Triangular Relationship : An analysis of an unexpected alliance and its rationality

Sammanfattning: The relationship between Israel and the US, as well as Israel and Russia are well documented, as it serves as a key aspect within the struggle for power and influence within the Middle East. However much research has been made on the topic, few have analysed how the relationship between Israel and the two others have affected the three, creating what could only be viewed as a blindspot within scholarship on the topic, as the relationships did not start in, nor are maintained within a vacuum. Therefore true understanding of the situation cannot be reached without properly contextualising the three nations together and how the interactions between Israel, Russia and Israel, US create rippling effects that can be seen through the three and how they view and interact with one another. The objective of this study is to shine light on the intricate balancing act that Israel maintains, as well as to explore the rationality behind Israel forming an alliance with Russia, the biggest directly rivalling force towards the US, which indeed is and always have been Israel's closest ally. The Thesis is conducted as an abductive desk study of the relationship between Israel, Russia and the US. The data that has been collected is a compilation of historical context to the relationship between Israel, Russia and the US, research on the current relationship between the three, statements made by the governments and leaders of the states, as well as news-media reporting on the relationships. The data will be used to determine the rationality behind the Israeli-Russian relationship and further understand the benefits of cooperating with a state which is so fundamentally the opposite in regards to norms and values.