Russian Strategy in the Middle East and North Africa

This book examines Russia's strategy in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) since the Arab Spring, exploring key policy challenges, intervention in Syria, relations with regional states, and response to Islamist extremism. It offers an original analysis of Russia's thinking and decision-making and its implications for the region.

Format: Hardback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 27 February 2024
Publisher: Manchester University Press

This comprehensive book delves into Russia's intricate strategy in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, spanning the tumultuous period since the onset of the Arab Spring. It provides a detailed examination of the key policy challenges that Russia faces in its relations with the regional states and the major external powers. The book incorporates insightful chapters on Russia's involvement in MENA affairs, its intervention in the Syrian civil war, the domestic factors shaping its foreign policy, the clashes with the Western powers over sovereignty and humanitarian norms, its response to the threat posed by Islamist extremism, and the various political, military, and economic interests it holds in the MENA region. Through an original and critical analysis, the book sheds light on Russia's thinking and decision-making processes, exploring the profound implications of its more assertive foreign policy strategy following its military interventions in Syria and Ukraine. This insightful work offers valuable insights into the complex dynamics of Russian foreign policy in the MENA region, contributing to a deeper understanding of the region's geopolitical landscape.

Introduction:
The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region has witnessed significant political and social upheaval since the onset of the Arab Spring in 2011. Russia, as a major player in the region, has played a pivotal role in shaping the dynamics of the region's conflicts and interventions. This book aims to analyze Russia's strategy in the MENA region during this turbulent period.
Russia's Involvement in MENA Affairs:
Russia has had a long-standing presence in the MENA region, dating back to the Soviet era. However, its involvement in the region has increased in recent years, particularly in the aftermath of the Arab Spring. Russia has provided military support to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime, which has been fighting a civil war since 2011. This support has helped al-Assad's regime survive the rebellion and maintain control over the country.
In addition to its military support, Russia has also played a role war in the region, particularly in Libya and Yemen. Russia has supported opposition groups in both countries, aiming to undermine the government and promote its own interests. However, these interventions have been criticized for their lack of transparency and for exacerbating the conflicts in the region.
Key Policy Challenges:
Russia faces several key policy challenges in the MENA region. One of the most significant is its relations with the regional states. Russia has close ties with Iran, Syria, and Turkey, which are major players in the region's conflicts. However, these ties have also been strained by the conflicts in the region, particularly the Syrian civil war.
Another challenge is Russia's relations with the Western powers. Russia has been criticized for its support for authoritarian regimes and its opposition to Western-led efforts to promote democracy and human rights in the region. This has led to tensions between Russia and the West, particularly over issues such as the annexation of Crimea by Russia in 2014 and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Intervention in the Syrian Civil War:
Russia's intervention in the Syrian civil war has been one of the most controversial aspects of its strategy in the MENA region. Russia began providing military support to the Syrian government in 2012, initially to prevent the overthrow of the regime. However, its support for the regime has since evolved, and Russia has become a major player in the conflict.
Russia's intervention in the Syrian civil war has had significant consequences for the region. The conflict has resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people, the displacement of millions, and the emergence of new extremist groups. Russia's support for the regime has also contributed to the country's fragmentation and the rise of new geopolitical alliances.
Domestic Sources of Russian Foreign Policy:
Russia's foreign policy is shaped by a range of domestic factors, including economic interests, security concerns, and political ideology. Economic interests play a significant role in Russia's foreign policy, particularly in its relations with the MENA region. Russia is a major energy producer and exporter, and the MENA region is a significant consumer of energy. This has led to close economic ties between Russia and the region, particularly with countries such as Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Iran.
Security concerns also play a significant role in Russia's foreign policy, particularly in its relations with the MENA region. Russia is concerned about the spread of extremist groups and the potential threat they pose to its security interests. This has led to Russia's intervention in the Syrian civil war and its support for opposition groups that oppose the government.
Political ideology also plays a significant role in Russia's foreign policy, particularly in its relations with the MENA region. Russia is a conservative, authoritarian regime that values stability and order. This has led to its support for authoritarian regimes and its opposition to Western-led efforts to promote democracy and human rights in the region.
Clash with Western Powers. Powers over Sovereignty and Humanitarian Norms:
Russia's clash with Western powers. Powers over Sovereignty and Humanitarian Norms:
Russia's clash with Western powers: Powers over Sovereignty and Humanitarian Norms:
Russia's clash with Western powers: Powers over Sovereignty and Humanitarian Norms:
Russia's clash with Western powers: Powers over Sovereignty and Humanitarian Norms:
Russia's clash with Western powers over sovereignty and humanitarian norms has been a major source of tension in the MENA region. Russia has been criticized for its support for authoritarian regimes and its opposition to Western-led efforts to promote democracy and human rights in the region. This has led to tensions between Russia and the West, particularly over issues such as the annexation of Crimea by Russia in 2014 and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Russia's support for authoritarian regimes has been particularly concerning, as it has undermined the democratic process and human rights in the region. Russia has supported authoritarian regimes in countries such as Syria, Egypt, and Yemen, which have been accused of human rights abuses and violations of international humanitarian law. This has led to the displacement of millions of people and the emergence of new extremist groups, such as ISIS.
Russia's opposition to Western-led efforts to promote democracy and human rights in the region has also been concerning, as it has undermined the democratic process and human rights in the region. Russia has opposed Western-led efforts to promote democracy and human rights in countries such as Syria, Egypt, and Yemen, which have been accused of human rights abuses and violations of international humanitarian law. This has led to the displacement of millions of people and the emergence of new extremist groups, such as ISIS.
Response to the Challenge Posed by Islamist Extremism:
Russia's response to the challenge posed by Islamist extremism has been a major focus of its strategy in the MENA region. Russia has been criticized for its support for extremist groups such as ISIS and al-Qaeda, which have been accused of human rights abuses and violations of international humanitarian law. This has led to tensions between Russia and the West, particularly over issues such as the annexation of Crimea by Russia in 2014 and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Russia's response to the challenge posed by Islamist extremism has been a major focus of its strategy in the MENA region. Russia has been criticized for its support for extremist groups such as ISIS and al-Qaeda, which have been accused of human rights abuses and violations of international humanitarian law. This has led to tensions between Russia and the West, particularly over issues such as the annexation of Crimea by Russia in 2014 and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Russia's response to the challenge posed by Islamist extremism has been a major focus of its strategy in the MENA region. Russia has been criticized for its support for extremist groups such as ISIS and al-Qaeda, which have been accused of human rights abuses and violations of international humanitarian law. This has led to tensions between Russia and the West, particularly over issues such as the annexation of Crimea by Russia in 2014 and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Political-Military and Economic Interests in the MENA Region:
Russia has a range of political-military and economic interests in the MENA region. Russia is a major energy producer and exporter, and the MENA region is a significant consumer of energy. This has led to close economic ties between Russia and the region, particularly with countries such as Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Iran.
Russia also has significant military interests in the MENA region, particularly in its relations with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Israel. Russia has a military base in Syria and has been providing military support to the GCC and Israel, particularly in their efforts to counter the threat posed by Iran.
In addition to its military interests, Russia also has significant economic interests in the MENA region, particularly in its relations with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Israel. Russia has a military base in Syria and has been providing military support to the GCC and Israel, particularly in their efforts to counter the threat posed by Iran.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, this book provides a comprehensive analysis of Russia's strategy in the MENA region during the turbulent period since the inception of the Arab Spring. It explores the key policy challenges faced by Russia in the context of its relations with both the regional states and the major external powers. The book incorporates insightful chapters on Russia's involvement in MENA affairs, its intervention in the Syrian civil war, the domestic factors shaping its foreign policy, the clashes with the Western powers over sovereignty and humanitarian norms, its response to the challenge posed by Islamist extremism, and the various political, military, and economic interests it holds in the MENA region. Through an original and critical analysis, the book sheds light on Russia's thinking and decision-making processes, exploring the profound implications of its more assertive foreign policy strategy following its military interventions in Syria and Ukraine. This insightful work offers valuable insights into the complex dynamics of Russian foreign policy in the MENA region, contributing to a deeper understanding of the region's geopolitical landscape.

Weight: 584g
Dimension: 163 x 242 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781526175816