... Kremlin’s ability to pursue even limited collaboration with the West in the MENA region, like in many other parts of the world. The evident lack of trust between Moscow and Western capitals might complicate many regional problems, including resurrecting the Iranian JCPOA, maritime security arrangements in the Gulf, deconflicting in Syria, and multilateral mechanisms for dealing with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. If Russia, alongside China, the U.S., and the EU, approaches the MENA security problems as a zero-sum game, this is likely to further complicate any progress in addressing security challenges in the MENA region. Unfortunately, it seems likely that the region ...
... MGIMO University
Moderator:
Ruslan Mamedov
, MENA Program Manager, Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC)
Discussion points:
Causes for previous failures to build a regional security
Ways to facilitate talks in post-JCPOA era
Changes and role of Russian policy in the Persian Gulf
Biden administration policies and its influence on Saudi-Iranian talks. Impacts of Iran’s presidential elections on regional talks
Working language: English.
June 28, 2021, 15:00 GMT+3
The event will be streamed online via RIAC website, YouTube channel, and RIAC page on Facebook. Please, leave your questions ...
... Amir-Aslani, Lawyer at Cohen Amir-Aslani law firm; Bassma Kodmani, Co-Founder of the Arab Reform Initiative; Gurvan Le Bras, Deputy Director at CAPS (Centre for Analysis, Planning and Strategy); and Mahaut de Fougières, Policy officer at Institut Montaigne.
Russian and French experts discussed the approaches of the two states to security in the Gulf region and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on regional conflicts. Particular attention was paid to the dynamics of the U.S.-Iran relations and the motives of the two states in implementing their policies in the region. The discussion also touched upon the topics of regional competition, for example, relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia, Iran and Israel. Russian and French ...
... elements of Washington’s system policy. Moreover, this characteristic of American politics means that it makes no sense for Iran to make a new deal with such an inconsistent actor as Washington. Even if new international agreements are signed, parties should be prepared that Washington could simply withdraw from them at any time.
In 2019, Russian Ministry in Foreign Affairs proposed a Collective Security Concept for the Persian Gulf Region. This Сoncept should be seen as a proposal to the Gulf countries to engage in security issues on an inclusive basis....
... would give an impetus to reviving the RIC trilateral format.
Clearly, details of the patrolling operation need to be discussed and coordinated with coastal states. It is necessary at all costs to avoid giving the impression that the India–China–Russia initiative is aimed against any party in the confrontation in the strait (be it the Arab Gulf monarchies or the Islamic Republic of Iran). Particular sensitivity and attention to detail will be required in consultations with Tehran: Iran is particularly sensitive to any international actions that can be interpreted as another attempt to “surround” or “isolate” the country....
