Russian strategy in the Middle East and North Africa

Russian strategy in the Middle East and North Africa

Author: Derek Averre

Publisher: Manchester University Press

Published: 2024-02-27

Total Pages: 181

ISBN-13: 1526175800

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This book analyses Russia’s strategy in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) in the turbulent period since the inception of the Arab Spring. It explores the key policy challenges faced by Russia in the context of Russia’s relations with both the regional states and the major external powers. The book incorporates chapters on Russia’s involvement in MENA affairs, its intervention in the Syrian civil war, the domestic sources of its foreign policy, its clash with the Western powers over issues pertaining to sovereignty and humanitarian norms, its response to the challenge posed by Islamist extremism, and its political-military and economic interests in the MENA region. The book offers an original, critical analysis of Russia’s thinking and decision-making and examines the implications of its more assertive foreign policy strategy following its military interventions in Syria and Ukraine.


Russia in the Middle East and North Africa

Russia in the Middle East and North Africa

Author: Chiara Lovotti

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2020-04-14

Total Pages: 188

ISBN-13: 1000051730

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After decades of intense interest and rivalry with the USA, the end of the Cold War and the dismantling of the USSR officially marked a period of significant retreat of Russia from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). However, with Russia’s economic recovery and the entrenchment of President Vladimir Putin, Russia’s interest in the region has risen anew. Once again seen as a battleground to contest US hegemony, Russia has expanded its political, military and (to a lesser extent) economic relationships across the region. Most apparent in the military intervention in Syria, Russia has also been engaged with traditional rivals Iran, Saudi Arabia and Turkey, stepping into the vacuum left by the US Obama Administration. Is Russia’s reengagement part of a strategy, or is it mere opportunism? Authors with different backgrounds, experiences and origins examine this question via an analysis of the historical drivers of Russian interest in the MENA region and the factors underlying current Russian policies.


Resurgent Russia

Resurgent Russia

Author: Dimitar Bechev

Publisher:

Published: 2021

Total Pages: 240

ISBN-13: 9780755636679

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"The war in Syria has put Russia at the centre of Middle Eastern politics. Moscow's return to the region following a prolonged period of absence has enhanced its geopolitical status at a time it has emerged as a rival to the West. Yet, contrary to the media hype, Vladimir Putin is not set to become the new power-broker in this strategically important part of the world. Co-authored by a team of prominent scholars and analysts from the EU, US, Russia and the Middle East, this book explores Russia's role in the Middle East and North Africa, the diverse drivers shaping its policy, and the response from local players. Chapters map out the history of Russian involvement, before and after the collapse of the Soviet Union, the impact on key issues such as security and defence, regional conflicts, arms trade, and energy, as well as relations influential states and country clusters such as Iran, the Gulf, Turkey, Israel, Egypt, and the Maghreb. It also looks at how the Middle East impacts on Russia's relations with the West. The book offers a balanced assessment of Russian influence, highlighting both the political, diplomatic and commercial gains made thanks to Putin's decision in September 2015 to intervene militarily in Syria and the constraints preventing Moscow from replacing the United States as a regional hegemon."--


The Rise of Russia - The Turning Point for Russian Foreign Policy

The Rise of Russia - The Turning Point for Russian Foreign Policy

Author: Keir Giles

Publisher: e-artnow

Published: 2017-08-26

Total Pages: 277

ISBN-13: 8026879627

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This book gives a detailed and precise analysis of the rise of Russian foreign policy in this decade. Russia's military interventions in Ukraine from 2014, and Syria from 2015, caused widespread surprise among Western policy communities including the United States. However, these interventions represented the culmination of two well-established trends that had been clearly identified by Russia-watchers over preceding years. These were first, a mounting perception of direct threat against Russia from the West, and second, Russia's own greatly increased capability for military or other action to respond to this perceived threat. In addition to the examination of Russia's use of military force in Ukraine and Syria, this book gives a complete insight into Russian diplomacy by analyzing the interference into the U.S. presidential elections, engagement with Latin America and interests in Sub-Saharan Africa. Contents: The Rise of Russia's Strength Prehistory Threat Perception Instability Before Libya The Arab Spring Libya Information Warfare Exclusion of Russia The Near Abroad Syria—2013 Syria—2015 Russia Is Back Outlook and Implications Summary of Policy Recommendations The Muscovite Mindset Russian Interference Into the U.S. Presidential Elections Description Technical Details Injection Flaws Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) Vulnerabilities Server Vulnerabilities Recommended Mitigations Detailed Mitigation Strategies Russian Engagement With Latin America Country-by-Country Impacts on the Region and on the United States Recommendations for U.S. Leadership Russian Interests in Sub-Saharan Africa History Russia's Presence Today — Political Priorities Economic Aims Resource Interests — Minerals Resource Interests - Energy Trade Arms Trade Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa Implications for U.S. Policy Outlook


Russia's Strategic Objectives in the Middle East and North Africa

Russia's Strategic Objectives in the Middle East and North Africa

Author: Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa of the Committee on Foreign Affairs House of Repres

Publisher:

Published: 2017-08-28

Total Pages: 52

ISBN-13: 9781974575374

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For far too long, the United States has acted timidly in the face of increased Russian aggression, unwilling to confront Putin for fear of provoking a confrontation. It isn't just the executive branch: Congress has played its role too. For years, administrations have been offering concessions to Russia, and Congress has allowed this to happen. The Bush administration presented a civilian nuclear cooperation agreement, a 123 agreement to Congress, despite concerns Russia was then providing Iran with nuclear technology and providing Syria with advanced conventional weapons in violation of the Iran, North Korea, and Syria Nonproliferation Act. President Bush withdrew the proposed nuclear accord, but only after Russia invaded Georgia. That didn't stop the Obama administration from falling into the same trap, officially submitting to the U.S.-Russia Nuclear Cooperation Agreement to Congress in 2010, despite overwhelming evidence of Russian involvement in Iran's nuclear and conventional weapons program and congressional efforts to strengthen sanctions against Iran. Russia is not a U.S. ally, not in Syria, not in Iran, not on human rights issues. Putin is a strong man, and tyrants like him only respond to strength, not just perceived strength, but actual strength. Russia is fragile, and this show of force is just that, a show by Putin. It is time for the U.S. to reclaim its leadership role on the global stage and, particularly, in the Middle East and with respect to Russia.


What Is Russia Up To in the Middle East?

What Is Russia Up To in the Middle East?

Author: Dmitri Trenin

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Published: 2017-11-10

Total Pages: 144

ISBN-13: 1509522344

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The eyes of the world are on the Middle East. Today, more than ever, this deeply-troubled region is the focus of power games between major global players vying for international influence. Absent from this scene for the past quarter century, Russia is now back with gusto. Yet its motivations, decision-making processes and strategic objectives remain hard to pin down. So just what is Russia up to in the Middle East? In this hard-hitting essay, leading analyst of Russian affairs Dmitri Trenin cuts through the hyperbole to offer a clear and nuanced analysis of Russia's involvement in the Middle East and its regional and global ramifications. Russia, he argues, cannot and will not supplant the U.S. as the leading external power in the region, but its actions are accelerating changes which will fundamentally remake the international system in the next two decades.


The Great Power Competition Volume 5

The Great Power Competition Volume 5

Author: Adib Farhadi

Publisher: Springer Nature

Published: 2023-10-09

Total Pages: 413

ISBN-13: 3031404513

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The Russian Invasion of Ukraine and Implications for the Central Region addresses national security threats and strategic opportunities for the United States and its allies in the Middle East and Central Asia following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Recognizing that integrated deterrence is not constrained by geography or domain, this book focuses on the complex threats and challenges confronting U.S. national security and foreign policy in a post-Ukraine invasion environment. That is to say, what happens in Ukraine does not stay in Ukraine. It affects everyone from the region to the cyberspace domain to people on the other side of the world, due to changes in commodity prices. Specifically, this volume explores how revised analyses of Russia may alter U.S. and allied strategies in a shifting international system and within the framing of strategic competition. Experts in this volume examine how the war in Ukraine will influence Russian strategy and foreign policy in the Middle East, Central Asia, and globally; what effect the Ukraine invasion could have on global and regional geopolitics and geoeconomics; and the United States’ ability to protect national interests in the Central Region. The reasons for this are multiple and complex. In this volume, we explore many issues that have confounded security experts by asking questions such as: What happens after the Russian invasion? What lessons did the U.S., Ukraine, NATO, and the European Union learn about Russia? What lessons did Russia learn about itself and its military after the Ukraine invasion? What lessons did the U.S. learn in Afghanistan that apply to Ukraine? Why was the initial analysis of the Russian invasion so wrong? How has power shifted in the international system since the Ukraine invasion? How has the security environment shifted since the Ukraine invasion? For the U.S. to continue supporting its partners in the Middle East and Central Asia, it must anticipate what new opportunities will arise from Russia’s missteps in Ukraine. The Russian Invasion of Ukraine and Implications for the Central Region addresses these challenges and opportunities and informs policymakers on the changing contours of the Great Power Competition.


Russian Policy Across the Middle East

Russian Policy Across the Middle East

Author: Nikolay Kozhanov

Publisher:

Published: 2018

Total Pages: 33

ISBN-13: 9781784132521

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Recurring confrontations with the West are one of the main factors compelling Russia to intensify its activities in the Middle East. Tactical and more targeted contacts with the region have also been determined by President Vladimir Putin’s diplomatic strategy, his perception of the Arab Spring and the domestic political situation in Russia. Russia considers better relations with Middle Eastern countries a means to avoid international isolation, to compensate for the negative effects of international sanctions and to put additional pressure on the West. The decision to increase Russia’s presence in the Middle East was also determined by economic drivers. The region occupies a special role in Russia’s strategy for strengthening its producers’ presence in the international oil and gas markets. Although Russia’s presence in the Middle East may periodically be considered a challenge to US and EU interests, on a limited number of issues their interests coincide and present opportunities for cooperation between Russia and the West.


Russian Foreign Policy Towards the Middle East

Russian Foreign Policy Towards the Middle East

Author: Nikolay Kozhanov

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Published: 2022-07-01

Total Pages: 356

ISBN-13: 0197667414

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This book sheds light on Russia's motives in the Middle East, examining its growing role in the region and its efforts to defend its national interests. As one of the first volumes to address both domestic and external drivers, it provides a valuable multi-dimensional account of Moscow's foreign policy. Russian Foreign Policy Towards the Middle East also traces the historical evolution of Russia's presence in the region, comparing Moscow's current vision of its diplomatic priorities with the strategic goals of the Soviet Union. Diverse case studies reveal areas of both divergence and convergence between Russia and various Middle Eastern players on a range of issues, including the Syrian Civil War, Iran's regional activities and the Yemeni conflict. In an era of renewed global tensions, this volume provides an important corrective to the notion that Russia's Cold War-era confrontation with 'the West' determines its contemporary approach to the Middle East. No less important are economic interests and domestic security considerations, which push Moscow towards greater interaction with the region. Only by examining both new trends and old traditions can we understand Russia's significance as a global player today.