Russia can gain from Middle East turmoil — but it could backfire if the war spirals out of control

“Russia benefits from a localized and protracted conflict between Israel and Hamas that’s confined to Gaza, but if the conflict yet opens up in multiple other fronts [like] Syria or Iraq or Lebanon, then it could become a very problematic development for the Russians,” Samuel Ramani, a geopolitical analyst and associate fellow at the Royal United Services Institute think tank, told CNBC. “So this is a very, very nervous moment for Moscow. It could present an opportunity for them but also could present a very, very disastrous outcome for their influence in the Middle East too if the conflict spirals out of control,” Ramani said. CNBC has requested a comment from the Kremlin and is awaiting a response.