Russia in Global Affairs

The military operations and territorial advancements signify not only an immediate strategic goal but also a broader ambition for Israel to redefine its borders and its role on both the regional and international stages—unless a well-considered proposal for a peace initiative with Israel emerges from the new state in Syria.

The recent offensive by Syrian rebels which took control of several cities, particularly the strategic city of Aleppo, is a new development that, although surprising, was not strange. The Middle East region and Syria have many unresolved challenges that are capable of leading to a crisis and an uncertain future at any time under the influence of national, regional or international factors.

Recent developments suggest that Turkey has been given significant latitude in its actions within Syria, allowing the government to effectively mobilize its assets among various armed groups aligned with its strategic interests. The upcoming geopolitical struggle in Syria appears poised to focus on dismantling Iranian influence in the region.

All the major players are poking each other but there is no desire to cross the Rubicon.

It is believed that the Middle East is home to grandmasters in this field, masters of this high stakes game. But global experience shows that the level of geopolitical mastery is generally declining, perhaps because of dramatically changing contingencies. There is no reason to believe that the various actors are still capable of playing games of real strategic depth, while managing to avoid falling into a shallow tactical pool.

Islamism. Political Islam. Islamic fundamentalism. The mass media and academic studies are literally brimming with these terms. However, what we see today as a natural component of international relations, in the 1970s-1980s was an unheard-of and inconceivable phenomenon in world politics.

Abstract The paper studies the “Turkish model” in a comparative historical perspective from three angles: as an example of mobilization modernization; as a combination of…

One of the most disturbing trends in international politics today is a rapid deterioration of the security situation in the Gulf area, — a region which remains a critically important part of the global economy, finance and transportation.

The time when Russia could contemplate an exit strategy seems to have passed. It would be virtually impossible now to guarantee a negotiated settlement in Syria or at least a lasting truce without Russia’s substantial military presence in that country.