Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's decision to grab the bull by its horns and -- accompanied by the IDF chief of staff and head of Military Intelligence -- visit Moscow to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, is the right call, despite the rising tensions on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. Indeed, what appears most pressing and urgent is not always of the same long-term strategic importance. After all, the key to dealing with Palestinian violence in Jerusalem is entirely in Israel's hands. All that is needed is fortitude, a strong and steady hand, and of course a series of operational, legal and other measures to cope with the incitement and public disturbances carried out by an unruly mob, mostly of teens and youngsters in east Jerusalem. This is not the case on the other active fronts, not in the south along the border with Gaza, and especially not in the north along the border with Lebanon and Syria. There, Israel is one of a number of players and often doesn't control the initiative. Nor does it hold the keys to a solution and de-escalation. As we know, in recent weeks certain developments have unfolded in the north as Russia has increased its involvement in Syria, with Iran following suit. This involvement is intended to ensure President Bashar Assad's survival and also give the Syrian dictator and his Hezbollah allies a sense of confidence, which has been lacking as their backs have been against the wall in the face of military advances by Islamic State and other radical Islamic rebel groups. Israel's concern over Islamic State's rise to prominence has taken a back seat to its concern over the establishment of "Little Syria," which would supposedly be controlled by Assad but in actuality be under the thumb of Iran and Hezbollah. Even more disconcerting is everyone in this Little Syria -- Assad, Hezbollah and Iran -- enjoying the safety of the Russian umbrella. The Americans could also help this materialize, because similar to their policies in Iraq they are liable to sacrifice certain principles for the sake of fighting Islamic State, and even come to terms with Iranian and Hezbollah forces battling the Sunni group on Syrian soil. The threat posed by Molotov cocktail and stone throwers in Jerusalem's Arab neighborhoods is not on par with the threat of tens of thousands of advanced missiles in Hezbollah's possession, nor the potential damage that could be caused by Iranian-operated terrorist squads along the border on the Golan Heights. Russia's presence in Syria, as stated, will hinder Israel's ability to act freely against these threats and will also encourage, even if not purposefully, this dangerous activity. The Russian presence, however, also provides an opportunity, perhaps as a force of restraint in Syria. After all, Assad needs Putin no less than he needs Iran and Hezbollah. Putin, not the Iranians, is the one capable of curbing any initiative or decision against Syria in the international arena, and he is also the only one who can deter the West from such an attempt. Moreover, as opposed to Iran and Hezbollah, Putin has no intention of ruling Syria and altering its makeup, for example by enforcing Iran's brand of Shiism on the country's Alawite and other citizens. All Putin wants is to advance his interests and ensure he maintains his military strongholds, and from this perspective he is more comfortable than Assad to work with. Finally, Putin has direct lines of communication with Washington and Jerusalem, as well. Such matters, therefore, can be discussed with the Russians. For instance, how to preserve Israel's freedom of action in Syria, which Moscow and Damascus both know isn't aimed at toppling Assad's regime anyway. Or how to restrain Iran and Hezbollah's expanding presence in Syria and ensure it doesn't pose a threat to Israel. Ironically, in light of America's weakness, Russia is becoming an important player, with the power to tie the strings that only Washington was previously capable of knotting or undoing. Moscow's good relationship with Jerusalem, but also with Tehran and Damascus, and recently with Riyadh and Cairo as well, provides it an opportunity to play the positive role of a mediator that can foster stability and calm, a role it has never had before. Netanyahu must explain this to Putin when they meet.
