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Source: http://blogs.reuters.com/great-debate/2013/05/20/for-russia-syria-is-not-in-the-middle-east/
For Russia, Syria Is Not in the Middle East
(Reuters) Brenda Shaffer - To get Russia to cooperate on any stabilization plan for Syria, the U.S. and its allies will have to take into account Russia's significant interests in the Mediterranean region. In Russia's view, the outcome in Syria affects Moscow's core strategic interests - including its global naval strategy and energy exports. While the Arab Middle East has been a relatively low priority in Russia's foreign policy, the Eastern Mediterranean region is a policy priority for Moscow. Russia might have only relative power in comparison to the U.S., but in many regions it has more "relevant" power, where Moscow can both contribute to and undermine U.S. policy goals. The writer is a professor at the University of Haifa.