Restoring Russia’s Influence in the Middle East

Defense Professionals ^ | 5/19/2010 | By Zvi Magen

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

Dmitry Medvedev's visit to Syria on May 10-11 was the first by a Russian president; President Asad has already visited Russia three times (January 2005, December 2006, and August 2008). During the visit, agreements on aviation, scientific and information technology cooperation, tourism, and the environment were signed, as was a memorandum regarding cooperation between the two countries’ chambers of commerce. The leaders discussed infrastructure projects in energy, and Middle East political affairs, such as the peace process, Lebanon, Iraq, and Iran, were also on the agenda. In addition, the parties agreed to establish a committee to promote expanded strategic cooperation. During his visit, Medvedev met with Hamas leader Khaled Mashal (whom he met in Moscow three months earlier) and even raised the issue of releasing Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.

Syria, which in the 1970s and 1980 was the USSR’s main ally in the Middle East, cooled its relations with Russia after the dismantlement of the Soviet Union because of “its betrayal of the Arab cause.” Relations were restored a few years later in an effort to form an anti-Western front in the Middle East with Russia’s active participation, and subsequently the political, economic, and security ties between the countries have grown closer. Especially in light of its current international isolation and the pressure from various rivals and enemies, Syria sees Russia as an important partner. For its part, Russia has expressed sweeping support of Syria and rejected any criticism regarding its nuclear program, activities in Lebanon, arming of Hizbollah, support for terrorist organizations, including Hamas, and cooperation with Iran.