... United States and the European Union (but also China and even Gulf states), can bring to the region. Therefore, in most cases the Kremlin seeks a seat at the table, but it has no ambitions to chair the meeting unilaterally. This is the case with the Middle East Peace Process, where Russia remains one of the consistent champions of the Quartet format; this is also the case in Libya and in Afghanistan too. Participation rather than control gives Russia a say in many regional matters without imposing on Moscow the full responsibility ...
On September 9, 2021, the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC) with the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) held a closed workshop on approaches of Russia and the UK in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The workshop was organized within the framework of the sixth round of the project “A New Agenda for Russia–UK Relations”.
On September 9, 2021, the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC) with the Royal ...
... Afghanistan” into an item on America’s domestic agenda, debates on this matter might even affect the outcome of the 2024 presidential elections.
Russia’s operation in Syria has significantly bolstered Moscow’s standing in the Arab world and increased Russia’s prestige throughout the Middle East, where high reliability as well as consistent and predictable policies have always been in value.
Washington’s reliability as a strategic partner and security guarantor has once again been cast into doubt. NATO’s ability to conduct successful ...
... Working Paper
The intensification of Russian foreign policy in the Eastern Mediterranean has facilitated contacts with influential actors. Given the importance of the Eastern Mediterranean and the often-overlapping interests of regional powers in the Middle East, Russia and the Gulf monarchies have been able to advance both the bilateral agenda and key energy issues. The increase in official visits from Middle Eastern capitals to Moscow in the second half of the 2010s, like the historic visit by the king of Saudi ...
... Moscow’s political elite became disinterested in Libya as a possible partner, which was the reason why Russia abstained from its right of veto.
Against this backdrop, Russia entered the years 2014–2015, heralding the country’s expanded presence in the Middle East and the Mediterranean.
Andrew Korybko:
Russia’s “Ummah Pivot”: Opportunities & Narrative Engagement
Facing Today’s World
It has virtually become an article of faith that Russia has become overly aggressive in its foreign policy from that time on, creating a vacuum around itself and ...
On June 22, 2021, a regular meeting of the U.S.–Russia Middle East Dialogue Group was held
On June 22, 2021, a regular meeting of the U.S.–Russia Middle East Dialogue Group was held. The event was organized by Washington Middle East Institute in partnership with Near East South Asia Center for Strategic ...
June 28, 2021, 15:00 GMT+3
On June 28, 2021, Russian International Affairs Council and the Middle East Directions Programme at the European University Institute (EUI) will hold a webinar meeting “A Gradual Approach Towards a New Security System in the Persian Gulf”. Andrey Kortunov, Director General, Russian International Affairs Council ...
RIAC and ECFA Report № 68/2021
RIAC and ECFA Report № 68/2021
This report aims to analyze political risks for Russian-Egyptian Cooperation in North Africa and summarizes joint findings by experts from the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC) and the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs (ECFA). Russia and Egypt have important stakes in the region; both ...
... in its response to the crisis in Belarus in the summer and autumn of 2020, which could theoretically lead to a dramatic outcome for European security. Unlike Russian policy in Asia, where a presence must be backed by years of economic gains, in the Middle East, Russia shows its best side in terms of diplomatic skill and military resolve. The current situation in the region inspires optimism — these properties will remain in the foreseeable future; they are the most important for achieving results.
Source: ...
... of Misrata, was named as interim Prime Minister, while Mohammad Younes Menfi, Libya’s former ambassador to Greece, will serve as the country’s President. Nicholas Morgan, journalist and analyst at Ahval, spoke with Ivan Bocharov, Referent at the Russian International Affairs Council, about the Libyan conflict.
Key points:
The selected candidates are largely political unknowns, which causes uncertainty as to whether they could succeed in their roles. It is too early to judge how any new government ...