Archives Russia in the Middle East - Page 3 of 4 - New Eastern Outlook

From the end of the 18th century, the Ottoman Empire and later the Republic of Turkey began to use the Islamic-identity factor in the North Caucasus to neutralize the natural course of Russian historical expansion southwards and to restrict the Russian Empire’s access to the southern (Black and Caspian) seas and the Caucasus. After the brilliant victories of the Russian army over Persia in the first quarter of the 19th century, the Turks realized that Russia’s liberation mission towards Christian Armenians and Georgians would lead to a new Caucasian war with the Sublime Porte…

With the start of the Russian Special Military Operation in Ukraine, Turkey positioned itself as a mediator and supporter of the cessation of hostilities. Ankara initiated the Istanbul process of negotiations between Moscow and Kiev, facilitated the exchange of prisoners, and achieved the conclusion of an economically favorable “grain deal.” Additionally, Ankara received a promising mega-project “gas hub” from Moscow.

The Middle East, lying at the crossroads of Europe, Asia and Africa, is traditionally a region vital to the sphere of international relations, however, the term ‘Middle East’ encompasses an all but monolithic region; competition for regional influence between various states is evident and cleavages along various lines manifest themselves, including in terms of economic might, confessional, ethnic and language differences, political orientation, military capabilities. Nevertheless, a multitude of factors and shared challenges…