Russia plays a crucial role as a connecting bridge between Middle Eastern nations and other international actors, according to Oraib Rantawi, Director of the Al-Quds Center for Strategic Studies, speaking at the fifth “Russia — Middle East” International Expert Forum.
The expert observed that Russia's regional influence had diminished following “the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria on December 8, 2024, and the reduced role of its allies, particularly Iran and its diplomatic missions.”
“Nevertheless, I believe Russia now faces an excellent opportunity,” Rantawi stated during the session “Middle East in Global Players' Strategies: Intersecting Interests and Contradictions.” “Our role as experts isn't to justify, criticize, or support this decline, but to recognize that this bridging function remains essential both for Russia and the entire region to engage with other global players.”
He emphasized that “there is a real opportunity to expand this influence in the future, especially as the Middle East becomes an arena where a multipolar system is emerging, and a new world order is taking shape.”
The Al-Quds Center director also noted that beyond existing factors in Russia-Middle East relations, it's necessary to account for “competition between Russia and China in the economic sphere, Russia and Europe in soft power, and Russia and the United States in diplomacy and military affairs.”
“But we certainly cannot afford to retreat or accept any attempt to leave the Middle East solely to American discretion,” he concluded.
Forum Background
The fifth International “Russia — Middle East” Expert Forum is being held in Moscow from October 20-22, bringing together academics and political figures from Russia, Turkey, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Iran, UAE, Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Syria and Kuwait. Participants are scheduled to discuss a wide range of Middle Eastern issues, including developing sustainable cooperation models that account for both regional development trends and key challenges.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Pavel Karásek/Pixabay
Based on materials from TASS