Doomed Damascus

We can't force Iran out of Syria, Russia tells Israelis - Reuters
Reuters reports: "Russia cannot compel Iranian forces to quit Syria, Moscow’s ambassador to Tel Aviv said on Monday, rebuffing Israel’s long-standing demand that it should work to ensure their total withdrawal from the country. Ambassador Anatoly Viktorov said Moscow could equally do nothing to prevent Israeli military strikes against Iranian forces in Syria, which along with Russia and Tehran-backed Lebanese militias are supporting President Bashar al-Assad in combating rebel fighters."

Comment:  I think that Netanyahu hoped his good relationship with Putin would provide a diplomatic solution and that Russia would order Syria's Assad to kick out the Iranians. Netanyahu has traveled to Moscow and met several times with Putin to make his case. There is no doubt that the situation is crystal clear to both Putin and Assad, Israel considers Iranian forces in Syria to be a threat and wants Russia to use their influence over Assad to solve the problem. According to this news report from the Reuters news service, it has been confirmed that Russia will not do that. So, from what I can see, this is a VERY important development. It suggests that there will be war between Israel and Iran inside Syria that could draw in Russia as well. Could the destruction of Damascus be near (Isaiah 17)?