CBNNews.com - DAMASCUS, Syria - Russia plans to follow up its military offensive against Georgia by increasing aid to Arab countries in conflict with Israel.

While Russia has been providing military aid and training for years, it's now using Israel's military assistance to Georgia to justify its moves.

"The significant military assistance provided by Israel to Georgia in its war against Russia will affect the future -- and probably the near future -- ties between Russia and Israel and Russia's attitude toward Arab states," a Russian analyst, speaking for the government, said in an interview on Syria's state-run satellite television.

"Russia will re-examine its ties with Israel, and it is not unlikely that Moscow will now decide to increase its military assistance to Arab countries in conflict with Israel, including Syria," he said.

Syrian President Bashar Assad leaves Thursday for a two-day "working visit" to Russia.

Source: Haaretz