Russia will strengthen its role in the Middle East in 2019.
(Baonghean.vn) - Analysts believe that Russia will continue to expand its influence in the Middle East through active involvement in the Syrian conflict resolution process and economic cooperation with regional powers in 2019, but Moscow's relationship with Asian countries is unlikely to undergo any significant changes.
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| Protesters in Syria wave Russian flags. Photo: AP |
Vladimir Fitin, a Middle East expert at the Russian Institute for Strategic Studies, believes that Russia's role in Middle Eastern affairs, especially the Syrian conflict, will continue to increase this year, stemming from Moscow's previous successes in Syria.
Sharing this view, Ruslan Mamedov, a Middle East expert at the Russian Council for International Affairs, highlighted the importance of Russia in the Syrian peace process.
Mamedov said, "A political solution in Syria is impossible without Moscow. This is a fact everyone understands." However, the expert emphasized that the US withdrawal from Syria would ultimately not help Russia strengthen its role in the region, but instead would give opportunities to other Middle Eastern powers.
He explained: “I see the US withdrawal from Syria as not being entirely positive for Russia. Russia will need to invest more in regional issues. Russia will suddenly realize it cannot capitalize on the conflict between Washington and regional powers, simply because the US withdrawal will strengthen the role of regional powers, not boost Russia's role.”
Therefore, according to Mamedov, Russia will most likely focus on achieving consensus among all stakeholders to ensure a resolution to the Syrian conflict, while carefully considering the influence of various variables surrounding this process.
Meanwhile, expert Fitin predicts that Russia will continue to have good relations with Middle Eastern countries in 2019, including its main rivals in the region such as Saudi Arabia and Iran.
Furthermore, according to Mr. Mamedov, Russia and Türkiye also continued their cooperation in the defense sector in 2019, with an agreement on the S-400 missile defense system potentially being signed despite pressure from the US, as Ankara pursues a policy of independence from Washington.
