... the Saudis must deal with Russia in order to achieve what they want in Syria, or at least preserve the minimum of their interests over there. The other Saudi option is to leave the Syrian field for Iran and Turkey and totally detach themselves from Syria and its ongoing war. To Saudi Arabia, Russia is not an enemy nor a fierce competitor. It is the Iranian influence that Saudis fear the most, it is the historical enemy of Saudi Arabia, and both countries have waged proxy wars in each of Iraq, Lebanon and Yemen. It is the modern ...
On October 5, 2017, along with the historical visit of the King of Saudi Arabia to Moscow, several events were held to focus on the current state of relations and prospects for development of relations between Moscow and Riyadh.
On October 5, 2017, along with the historical visit of the King of Saudi Arabia to Moscow,...
... immediately refuted the reports, but certain differences between the two countries do exist. Moscow continues to support President of Syria Bashar al-Assad. Because of Russia’s stance on Syria, the Arab world perceives it as an ally of Shiite Iran. Saudi Arabia, for its part, cooperates in Syria with varied Sunni groups whose aim is to change the power in the country.
Another potential source of discord are direct shipments of Russian arms to Iran, particularly of S-300 and other surface-to-air missile systems, which are capable of tipping ...
Within three days of a bizarre chemical gas poisoning incident in Khan Sheikhoun, Syria, the United States ratcheted up its global judge, jury and executioner role by firing a salvo of Tomahawk missiles on a Syrian airbase that was used to combat Daesh terrorists. No due process or investigation was sought; not even a declaration ...
... most of the GCC states find themselves in a proxy war against Iran, and view it as a belligerent actor in the region, Russia has increased its cooperation and partnership with the Islamic Republic. A similar confliction of interests can be found in Syria, where states like Saudi Arabia and Qatar have invested tremendous political capital in supporting Syrian rebels, Russia has deployed its political, economic and military might in support of the Bashar al-Assad regime.
Historically, GCC-Russia relations have never realized ...
... Trump bills himself, with his “America first” slogan, is less tied to the US’ traditional allies, Israel and Saudi Arabia, protecting and supporting whom has become a burden for the US tax payers. It has already led people to
call him ... ... Ivanov:
U.S. Diplomacy in the Shackles of Election
Politics
Trump is not concerned about Russia’s military presence in Syria as he thinks that the Russian air force does some of the work Americans would have to do otherwise.
His idea of cooperating ...
... seven-fold in the last twelve months, from 1,500 a month in April 2015 to just 200 in 2016.
Consequently, the territory controlled by the Islamic State is shrinking. According to US officials, the group has lost 47% of its territory in Iraq and 20% in Syria. Bombings in Iraq, Turkey and Saudi Arabia help the organization attract marginalized elements whose goal is not even building the illusive Caliphate but spreading jihad, which they interpret as their path towards liberation.
Islamic State Volunteers
IS and the Saudi monarchy both ...
... event takes place.
Syria
Indeed, it was its specific approach to Syria that has driven Algiers to quarrel with Riyadh and move closer to Tehran: Algerians would like to simultaneously preserve the regional status quo and step up the competition with Syria and Saudi Arabia for clout in the Arab world. However, the secular regimes of Syria and Algeria currently seem to have reached a sort of
stable political equilibrium
.
In practice, Algiers is quite cautious in criticizing Bashar Assad for his actions against ...
... incentives to fulfill their obligations. On the contrary, they tend to support their proxies in a more aggressive manner by providing them with arms in order to tip the balance. The Yemeni conflict also may seemingly become more destructive and even surpass Syria as a priority for Saudi Arabia. Those who were initially skeptical about the peaceful settlement of both conflicts now worry not so much about the worsening dynamics of regional crises due to the Saudi-Iranian showdown, as about the hurdles that will unquestionably plague ...
... in peace talks that will take place in Geneva on January 25. Opposition groups, however, have not done so yet. And this is exactly what should concern Riyadh, because if these groups don’t show up in Geneva Iran will have a good reason to blame Saudi Arabia for derailing Syria talks over their own dispute.
Diplomatically Saudi Arabia has fallen into its own trap.
All in all, it seems that diplomatically Saudi Arabia has fallen into its own trap. The Iranian leadership quickly realized the risks of the conflict’s ...
