CHICAGO: Russia is aggressively competing to replace American interests in the Middle East in a way not seen since the 1973 Arab-Israeli “October War,” the former US envoy to Syria under President Donald Trump warned on Friday. He added that Russia is leveraging the approach of the new US administration to Iran in its efforts to build stronger alliances. “That (growing Russian influence) is a new factor that was not present in any major way during the Obama administration. Biden outlined his own concerns about Russia on Thursday, as he distanced himself from the position taken by the Trump administration. “We will not hesitate to raise the cost on Russia and defend our vital interests and our people.

Source: Libya Today February 05, 2021 21:56 UTC