Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Photo: wiki commons.

AJC.AP – When Vladimir Putin visits Israel next week, the world may want to pay attention: The Iranian nuclear program will top the agenda — and the steely Russian president, widely viewed as coddling the Iranians, may hold the key to avoiding a potential slide into another Middle East war.

With close ties to Iran and a vote on the U.N. Security Council, Russia could play a key role in the coming months in determining whether Israel decides to attack Iran’s suspect nuclear program.

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