... reasons of international soft power and prestige, Moscow must not be seen as supporting separatist forces either. However, the very fact that it proposed some form of decentralization in Syria back in 2017 shows that there is a precedent to do the same in Yemen. The thinking goes that this is a pragmatic possibility, one without any ulterior motives since Russia would not have proposed it to its Syrian ally had it been otherwise. In the very least, Russia must try to float this idea more confidently to gauge regional interest both at the elite and local levels.
Another Gulf-related issue is the intra-organizational spat over Qatar, which has ...
... apparent that domestic driving forces increasingly trump extra-regional influences such as the geopolitical rivalry between Russia and the US, between Western states (France, Italy, Germany, Greece), including Turkey, as is happening in Libya, between the regional powers themselves (Saudi Arabia, Iran, the UAE, Qatar) in Yemen, or between all of them in Syria.
The pandemic has affected Libya, Syria and Yemen to a lesser degree than the US and West European states. At the same time,...
... the Iranian Republican Guard Corps to intervene when ordered.
Thus, three main focal points will prevail in 2020:
First: the impact of global economic trends on domestic politics; the influence of regional power struggles on unresolved conflicts in Syria, Yemen, Iraq, and Libya. In many ways, these dynamics are interconnected and feed into one another. However, evidence of increased contact with Russia by countries like Egypt and Jordan should be taken in the context of the US disengagement from the region, which began during the Obama administration, and concern about the Trump administration's disorganised, chaotic foreign policy. Furthermore,...
... Russia Wants in Syria
Moscow and Riyadh will also have to address a wide range of regional security issues from the Gulf to Syria to Yemen. Putin's visit coincides with the Saudi authorities’ efforts to ease tensions in the Gulf region. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed ... ... readiness to de-escalate with Iran is fully compatible with the
collective security framework
for the Gulf region presented by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Yemen issue particularly stands out as a grave security concern. Lavrov
voiced Moscow’s ...
... powers on the Middle East general development dynamics, on the most significant challenges and threats emanating from the region, on possible mechanisms and sequence of solutions to Middle Eastern issues.
This meeting is devoted to the latest events in Syria and Yemen, the possibilities of preventing escalation, and the optimal formats for multilateral dialog in these crisis situations. The Russian side is represented by Alexander Aksenyonok, RIAC Vice-President, Andrey Kortunov, RIAC Director General, and RIAC experts Irina Zvyagelskaya and Elena Suponina.
... long after the resources of the warring parties would otherwise have been depleted (Syria is a case study of this). Whatever the temptations of seeing the Middle East as... ... to score points against each other in a global struggle, the reality is that Europe, Russia, the US and China all have a common interest in preventing further destructive... ... is no ‘one size fits all’ solution for the region. In some situations (such as Yemen), the United Nations can and should become a key actor; in other cases (such as...
..., delegation of Shaikh Group international consultancy headed by the CEO Salman Shaikh visited Russian International Affairs Council.
On February 5, 2019, delegation of Shaikh Group international consultancy headed by the CEO Salman Shaikh visited Russian International Affairs Council.
In the course of the meeting the sides discussed issues of resolving conflict situations in Syria and Yemen, the role of regional players and great powers in the evolution of the Middle East region, and possibility of preparing joint proposals for creating a new security system in the Middle East by specialized expert organizations from Russia, the USA,...
... the region, possible mechanisms and sequencing of solutions to Middle East issues.
The discussion focuses on acute crises in Syria, Yemen, and Libya, as well as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and potential instability in other countries of the region. Aleksandr Aksenyonok, RIAC Vice-President, and Andrey Kortunov, RIAC Director General, represent Russian side at the meeting.
... table with the participation of experts, representatives of the academic community, and non-governmental organizations from Russia, Italy, Germany, Austria, and the United Kingdom. The round table discussed the issues of modern security architecture ... ...
Regional scenarios were presented and analyzed at the round table in order to develop recommendations for crisis management in Syria, Libya, and Yemen involving all concerned parties for constructive interaction.
... 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 “Cold War” of the Middle-East. One of the reasons Saudi Arabia did not join the Astana initiative is that Iran is a founder. The Saudis does not fear a Russian influence in Syria, but they rather fear an Iranian one. Plus, Russians and Saudis have a lot to discuss and cooperate such as Oil and Gas ...
