Russia intends to play a more active role not only in the peace process but also in shaping the destiny of the region as a whole, in cooperation with national and international actors, particularly the United States and Europe.
Valdaiclub.com interview with Mustapha Tlili, Founder and Director, Center for Dialogues: Islamic World-U.S.-The West New York University
Is, in your opinion, the upcoming visit of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev to Jordan and the Palestinian Territory on January 18-19 a sign that Russia pursues a more active policy in the Middle East?
The visit January 18-19 to the Middle East by the highest authority of the Russian State is, in my opinion, a clear sign that Russia intends to play a more active role not only in the peace process but also in shaping the destiny of the region as a whole, in cooperation with national and international actors, particularly the United States and Europe. Facing the challenges of transition, following the collapse of the U.S.S.R, Russia for a number of years effectively withdrew from the peace making arena, concentrating instead on rebuilding all domains of the national realm. Russian leaders may now feel confident that the country is strong enough to start playing an active role in Middle East affairs and that they can count on the meanseconomic, political, militaryrequired to project such ambitions. The Middle East is a complex area, but Russia has elites formed during Soviet times who know and understand the region very well, probably better than most Western elites. This factor should prevent Russia from committing the mistakes made by the U.S. in invading Iraq, for instance. But only time will tell
Full version of the interview was published on valdaiclub.com
Valdaiclub.com interview with Mustapha Tlili, Founder and Director, Center for Dialogues: Islamic World-U.S.-The West New York University
Is, in your opinion, the upcoming visit of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev to Jordan and the Palestinian Territory on January 18-19 a sign that Russia pursues a more active policy in the Middle East?
The visit January 18-19 to the Middle East by the highest authority of the Russian State is, in my opinion, a clear sign that Russia intends to play a more active role not only in the peace process but also in shaping the destiny of the region as a whole, in cooperation with national and international actors, particularly the United States and Europe. Facing the challenges of transition, following the collapse of the U.S.S.R, Russia for a number of years effectively withdrew from the peace making arena, concentrating instead on rebuilding all domains of the national realm. Russian leaders may now feel confident that the country is strong enough to start playing an active role in Middle East affairs and that they can count on the meanseconomic, political, militaryrequired to project such ambitions. The Middle East is a complex area, but Russia has elites formed during Soviet times who know and understand the region very well, probably better than most Western elites. This factor should prevent Russia from committing the mistakes made by the U.S. in invading Iraq, for instance. But only time will tell
Full version of the interview was published on valdaiclub.com