China has effectively coped with its role of facilitator, but now the country will have to enforce the agreements reached
In March 2023, seven years after diplomatic relations were severed, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI) have agreed to reopen their embassies. This decision opens up the possibility of reducing tensions in the Gulf and, in the long term, in the entire region of the Middle East. Notably, both sides have stated the need to respect sovereignty, ...
... took place.
Experts from Russia, the USA, a number of European countries, China, and India took part in the discussion. The discussion focused on the consequences of the implementation of the agreement on restoration of diplomatic relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia, reached through the mediation of China, in particular, possible progress in resolving civil conflicts in Yemen, Syria, and Lebanon.
Other discussion points included the current political trends in Israel, the dynamics of the Israeli-Palestinian ...
... armed clashes, mysterious assassinations, exchanges of artillery and rocket attacks are frequent in different parts of the country, especially in the south (Deraa-Suweida-Quneitra triangle). Syria remains an arena for score-settling between Israel and Iran, Turkey and the Kurdish militias, as well as the geopolitical rivalry between Russia and the United States. Chronic instability seems to have become the new Syrian norm. Getting used to this uncertain reality is perceived by many inside and outside ...
... tried to help several thousand prisoners suspected of having links with ISIS escape from prison.
Some regional players, as well as extra-regional powers, negatively view Turkey’s plans for conducting a military operation in Syria. In July of 2022, Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei warned Recep Erdogan against an attack on Syria, as it would harm not only Syria, but also Turkey, in addition to other countries in the region. Given that Washington considers the SDF as instrumental in the fight against ...
... over-compliance that also affected donor governments, businesses and NGOs, causing many of them to shun even small projects. Some Gulf Arab states have signaled that they might be willing to support reconstruction, perhaps hoping to get Syria out of Iran’s orbit. But for now, they are hesitant to take the risk. For the same reason, Damascus’ other allies—Russia and Iran—which, however, have already done a lot to preserve the Syrian statehood, are constrained. Despite proposals to adjust and ...
... in resolving the Syrian crisis. Economic reintegration may prove to be a catalyst for the peace process. This working paper presents a political economy model for the settlement of the situation in Syria. The author explores the positions of Russia, Iran and China in Syria and their points of interaction. Possible scenarios for the development of the situation in Syria are analysed in detail, as are the modalities of the impact of the Ukraine crisis on the configuration of external actors of the ...
Paradoxical as it may sound, the bunch of contradictions that has accumulated in Russia–Iran relations does not stand in the way of rapprochement between the two countries
Russia and Iran are finding ever more points of convergence in their foreign policies and across the domain of economic cooperation. It is no coincidence that a record ...
Diverging views of Russia and Iran on Syria are unlikely to cause a true breakdown of their tactical partnership
Russia’s ongoing special military operation in Ukraine has sparked broad and intensive debates about future modalities of the relations between Russia and Iran in ...
The GCC countries expect Moscow to influence Iran, limiting the dangers it poses
“The US’ withdrawal from the Middle East has strengthened GCC countries’ desire to create intraregional coalitions and to look for an external security provider. Russia might fit the bill, though the conflict ...
The overall context of Russia–Iran relations looks a little more complex than reducing them to an inevitable rapprochement
As of today, the relations between Russia and Iran are almost set to transition to a new level. The situation, as it currently unfolds, offers little choice: ...
