... negotiations with Syria and its allies.
Ruslan Mamedov:
Russia in Syria: A “Path Dependence Hybrid Warfare”
Secondary sanctions are also hitting the Gulf states, some of which in recent years have gone the extra mile towards Damascus. Thus, the UAE, having restored its official contacts with Syria, resumed the work of its embassy in Damascus, develop cooperation at the level of intelligence services, and outlined business projects. Now, these projects are at risk of sanctions. For the UAE, Damascus ...
... unbridgeable. Yemen will continue to be a war zone, and the Houthis will act to have the upper hand in north Yemen, rejecting any dictated agendas to resolve the conflict as their war with other parties and countries is a “to be or not to be”. KSA and the UAE will try through some agents to target the leader of the Houthis Abdul Malek Al Houthi to abort the dreams of the Houthis to have their political and military power in Yemen and in the region. Simultaneously, the Houthis will increase their targets ...
On November 9–11, 2019, Abu Dhabi (UAE) hosted the sixth annual Abu Dhabi Strategic Debate ADSD 2019, one of the main regional platforms for discussing security issues, long-term trends in the development of the system of international relations and the world economy.
On November 9–11,...
On October 17, 2019, in Moscow, Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC), together with the Emirates Center for Strategic Research and Studies, held a seminar on human rights and politics: experience of Russia and the UAE.
On October 17, 2019, in Moscow, Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC), together with the Emirates Center for Strategic Research and Studies, held a seminar on human rights and politics: experience of Russia and the UAE.
The event was opened ...
... Policy in the Middle East: Achievements and Limitations
In this context, the move to arrange a meeting with the leaders of the Gulf states could be viewed as an attempt to downplay Russia's diplomatic support for Iran and reassure Saudi Arabia and the UAE that despite Moscow's relations with Tehran, the latter is still far from being Russia's only partner in the region.
Moreover, in an interview to Al Arabiya, Putin has reaffirmed Russia's desire to facilitate a dialogue between the Gulf states and ...
... enemy with the United Arab Emirates: the al-Islah Islamic party on which Saudi Arabia relies.
In the summer of 2019, the United Arab Emirates began to pointedly reduce its military presence in Yemen. The south was transferred to the control of the pro-UAE STC. This allowed the United Arab Emirates to solve several problems with one move: first, it reduced tensions in the country’s relations with Iran, which finances the Houthis; and second, it relieved the United Arab Emirates of its responsibility ...
... of NATO, also have a facility in Bahrain. Bahrain is also the most tolerant and open country in the region. Kuwait is another example of quite close partnership with the EU and the new delegation to Kuwait is an indication of their relationship. The UAE too is allied to nearly all EU states.
Saudi Arabia accused Qatar of supporting terrorism. In your opinion, are these claims grounded? How do you assess the efforts taken by the Qatari government to counter terrorism financing?
Andrey Kortunov:
...
How to ensure security and freedom of navigation in the Persian Gulf?
In recent weeks, the world’s attention has been riveted on the situation in the Strait of Hormuz. On May 12, four tankers owned by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates were attacked by unknown forces when entering the Strait off the coast of Fujairah. On June 13, this time near the Iranian coast, two more tankers flying the flags of the Marshall Islands and Panama were attacked. The incidents occurred against the backdrop...
On April 1, 2019, an international conference on extremism and violence in and around the Middle East started in Abu Dhabi (UAE). The event was organized by the United States National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM, USA), and the New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD, United Arab Emirates).
On April 1, 2019, an international conference on extremism ...
... follows a path similar to that of Egypt.
Bahrain ends the kingdom after protests.
Qatar
continues as hitherto.
Israel
, Gaza and the
West Bank
continue their existing increase in tensions (as described above).
Yemen
continues to be war-torn. Kuwait, the UAE and Oman continue their current path.
The North
Iran
will in all cases continue with the basic structure of its existing political system. But whether the system hardens or develops in a more open direction will widely depend on exterior conditions....