|
Trending Topics
|
Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/somnia/7e7124cc-27c7-11e3-9372-92606241ae9c_story.html
Russia Seeks to Fill Vacuum in the Middle East
(Washington Post) Liz Sly - Two decades after the collapse of the Soviet Union affirmed the U.S. as the dominant power in the Middle East, a resurgent Russia is seeking ways to fill the vacuum left by the departure of American troops from the region and the toppling of U.S. allies in the Arab Spring revolts. The recent diplomacy that averted a U.S. strike on Syria underscored the extent to which Russian President Vladimir Putin has emerged as the world leader with the single biggest influence over the outcome of the Syrian war. Less conspicuously, Russia has been nurturing new alliances and reaching out to traditional Arab heavyweights such as Egypt and Iraq. Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has made two trips to Moscow in the past year and none to Washington. His talks were focused on a $4 billion defense deal including fighter jets, which are expected to be delivered soon. Meanwhile, strains between Egypt's new military-backed rulers and Washington have led Egyptian leaders to encourage Russian advances.