Russian President Vladimir Putin (2nd L) and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad (2nd R) meet with servicemen as they visit the Hmeymim air base in Latakia Province, Syria, Dec. 11, 2017.
David Ignatius, Korea Herald/Washington Post: Russia’s scavenger diplomacy
While most of the world has been on lockdown from the novel coronavirus, the wars and political machinations of the Middle East have continued. Amid this turmoil, Russia appears to be making steady progress as a regional power.
The pandemic and collapse of oil prices have pounded the region’s already fragile countries. The Gulf oil kingdoms are slashing budgets; Iran is hunkered down and trying to keep its leadership alive and its strategic weapons programs intact. America, meanwhile, is a waning force. In this vacuum, Russia plays a growing role by default and design.
Russia has been opportunistic toward the conflicts in Syria, Libya and Yemen. The combatants are exhausted, but efforts to negotiate peace deals have failed. The result may be de facto partitions in all three -- and frozen conflicts that leave the nations fragmented and vulnerable.
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WNU Editor: The Middle East has been cruel to outside countries who wish to have a presence in the region. Will Russia succeed? I do not know. But there are now reports that even Russian President Putin is having second thoughts .... Is Russian President Putin Rethinking Russia's Role In Syria? (May 9, 2020).
2 comments:
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