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U.S. Sees New Need to Engage Russia, Iran on Mideast

(Wall Street Journal) Jay Solomon - Secretary of State Kerry and his European allies are increasingly reliant on two countries the U.S. has historically argued only undermine stability in the Middle East - Russia and Iran. The engagement of Moscow and Tehran exemplifies the shifting balance of power in the region, as President Obama has made clear his intent to minimize the U.S. military role there. But the West is taking risks by including the Russians and Iranians in diplomacy, said Emile Hokayem, a regional analyst at London's International Institute for Strategic Studies. Neither country shares the same long-term interests as Washington or European capitals. In a sign of the diplomatic shift underway, Jordan, one of the staunchest U.S. allies, announced on Friday it was establishing an office in Amman to jointly coordinate military operations with Russia in Iraq and Syria. Arab officials said the perception of U.S. acquiescence to Russia and Iran is likely to create more hedging among some Mideast states. Few Arab governments will want to directly oppose Russia if they feel the U.S. is abdicating its traditional role.
2015-10-26 00:00:00
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