The events in Syria, and efforts by Israel to curb the establishment of an Iranian military presence there, still top the list of priorities here. Gaza is seen as a secondary arena, one that must be contained and restrained while the more pressing problem is addressed.

On Wednesday afternoon, after the Gaza cease-fire was attained, Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman left for a short visit to Moscow. At a meeting on Thursday afternoon with his Russian counterpart, Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu, he discussed the reduction of the Iranian presence in Syria.

Lieberman was optimistic this week regarding the chances of moving the Iranians and the Shi’ite militias they bankroll further back from their border with Israel in the Golan Heights. This realistic expectation apparently has to do with changes in southern Syria, in keeping with the earlier agreement to reduce friction in the region, signed by the United States, Russia and Jordan last November.

Read the full story at Haaretz.