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Syria: Russia's Best Asset in the Middle East

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Russie.Eurasie.Visions
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Syrie : le meilleur atout de la Russie au Moyen-Orient
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Russia's foreign policy towards Syria and the Greater Middle East is generally not aggressive. It is a defensive policy aimed mainly at developing its traditional political and economic interests in the region and protecting its Southern borders.

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It is possible that Syria's pivotal role for the Kremlin might be diminished by Russia's growing political and economic involvement with almost all states of that region and its greater stress on profitable economic relations. However, Syria will remain Moscow's most important partner in the Arab East, because of: its relative independence from the West, its secular government, a well-established tradition of bilateral cooperation and the fact that it provides access to the Mediterranean. Russian-Syrian relations have always been more political and strategic than economic in nature. This differentiates them from the relations Russia has with Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries of the region.

Until 2010, Andrej Kreutz taught Political Science and History at the University of Calgary and Mount Royal College in Calgary.

Russie.Nei.Visions is an electronic collection of policy papers published in French, English and Russian by the Russia/NIS Center, Ifri.

 

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978-2-86592-784-5

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Syria: Russia's Best Asset in the Middle East

Decoration
Author(s)
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Russie, Eurasie, Carte
Russia/Eurasia Center
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Founded in 2005 within Ifri, the Russia/Eurasia Center conducts research and organizes debates on Russia, Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and the South Caucasus. Its goal is to understand and anticipate the evolution of this complex and rapidly changing geographical area in order to enrich public discourse in France and Europe and to assist in strategic, political, and economic decision-making.

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Moldova's Crucial Parliamentary Election. What's at Stake?

Date de publication
22 September 2025
Accroche

On the occasion of Moldova’s National Day, August 27, 2025, Chișinău hosted a high-level European delegation composed of Emmanuel Macron, Friedrich Merz and Donald Tusk, who sought to reaffirm their support for the country’s sovereignty and pro-European course. This unprecedented and highly symbolic visit took place at a pivotal moment. Moldova is preparing for decisive parliamentary elections on September 28, whose stakes extend far beyond the national framework.

Florent PARMENTIER
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War as Social Elevator: The Socioeconomic Impact of Russian Military Keynesianism

Date de publication
19 June 2025
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In order to finance its war effort, the Russian state has spent substantial sums of money and implemented a form of “military Keynesianism” that is transforming society at both the socioeconomic and cultural levels. This has partially rebalanced the wide disparities in wealth, levels of consumption, and social prestige in Russian society by granting significant financial and symbolic advantages to peripheral Russia, which has long been overlooked by the central government. 

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The Contradictory Impacts of Western Sanctions on Economic Relations between Russia and Sub-Saharan Africa

Date de publication
28 May 2025
Accroche

How does Russia maintain economic ties with Africa despite Western sanctions? An analysis of investments, trade, and the circumvention strategies deployed by Moscow.

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The Caspian Sea as an Emerging Energy Hub : Potentials and Limitations

Date de publication
07 February 2025
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This report analyzes the prospects of the Caspian Sea region — and its key actors except for Russia and Iran — becoming an important energy hub serving the needs of the European Union (EU). 

Sergey SUKHANKIN

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Syria: Russia's Best Asset in the Middle East