... amid the Ukrainian conflict remain pragmatic and balanced even despite the pressure exerted by the West.
At the same time, the West should not be expected to abandon its attempts to put pressure on its Middle Eastern partners to force them to join anti-Russian sanctions. If Middle Eastern states succeed in preserving their pragmatic approach to the Ukrainian crisis, to Russia-West confrontation, and in continuing their multi-vector policies, there will be more chances for a constructive settlement and for a smoother transition ...
... impressive list of allied states and the lukewarm reaction of Middle Eastern countries to Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine. For one thing, no one in the Middle East wants to be
faced with a choice
between Moscow and Washington. In the Middle East, Russia remains a player to be reckoned with, and its interests coincide with those of almost all the countries in the region—including Washington’s partners—on a whole range of issues.
Take Turkey, for example, a NATO member who has serious disagreements ...
... Turkey for the purchase of S-400 long-range surface-to-air missile systems or the agreement with Egypt for the purchase of Su-25 aircraft. Washington opposed such purchases and responded with a threat of sanctions in order to force the countries of the Middle East to abandon Russian weapons. After February 24, the reaction to such purchases will be much stronger, and this may expand from traditional U.S. partners in the region to a wider range of states. Sanction risks are highly likely to lower the level of military-technical ...
... fertilizers).
Russia is ready to keep on strictly fulfilling its obligations under international contracts regarding shipments of agricultural products. We are aware of the importance of our wheat for the nations of Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the
Middle East
. In the current agricultural year, our exports will amount to 37 million tons of grain, next year we plan to increase it up to 50 million tons. Russia intends to continue providing humanitarian assistance, including through the UN World Food Program.
Russia’s goal has always been to stabilize the situation in the world food market and to provide assistance to countries that need high-quality ...
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 in Ukraine throws this into question.
The GCC countries expect Moscow to influence Iran, limiting the dangers it poses. The possibilities of Moscow’s influence on Tehran remain limited, though Russia is ...
... problems together.
In case Ankara launches a military operation without complying with the terms on M4 in Idlib, it may cost Russia major reputational losses in the eyes of its Syrian ally, and these losses are to be avoided. The U.S. may also suffer ... ... calling it America’s close ally. After the U.S. has essentially fled Afghanistan, another such case will result in the U.S. Middle Eastern allies totally losing confidence in America as a security guarantor. Washington should not be stripped of its “crown ...
On March 21-23, 2022, the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS) is holding the conference “Economic, Social, Political, Ethno-Confessional Problems of Asian and African countries”. The meeting was organized by the Center for Study of Common Problems of Contemporary East of the ...
...
Vladimir Bartenev:
International Assistance to the Middle East and North Africa: Managing the Risks
Can Russia save the Arab world from food riots? This is not a rhetorical question. Moscow appears to have a real potential to boost its exports to the Middle East. For instance, in January–July 2021, Russia succeeded in ramping up its agricultural exports to
Tunisia
by 4.5 times, as compared to the same period of 2020—in monetary terms, there was a sixfold increase, up to USD 112 million. Russia’s agricultural food-grade 3
rd
and 4
th
class wheat ...
... before the pandemic struck. In Vienna the talks on the JCPOA should move forward with an active support of the U.S., which is responsible for the current crisis. The return of the U.S. and Iran to the deal would defuse a looming nuclear arms race in the Middle East among Iran, Saudi Arabia and Israel. The U.S. and NATO should strive to work with Russia on achieving mutual guarantees of security ruling out deployment of nuclear or/and conventional strike systems in the proximity to each other. Only the U.S. and Russia working together in goodwill can persuade China to refrain from destabilizing ...
... countries of the Middle East and North Africa. During the “I.M. Smilyanskaya Readings”, participants discussed topics related to the history of the Arab countries, the impact of the pandemic on the socio-economic development of the countries of the Middle East and North Africa, as well as the transformation of the regional security system. In addition, issues related to the contribution of Russian scientists to Arab studies were raised. Also, the main directions and trends in the development of Arab studies were discussed.
On November 29, 2021, there was the opening of the XVI Conference of Arabists “I.M. Smilyanskaya Readings”. Vasily ...
