Russia’s strategic policies towards the Middle East can be characterised as largely relying on military intervention or presence, especially since 2015 when Moscow became involved in in the Syrian war. Recent events in the region, especially the wars in Gaza and Lebanon, have presented another turning point, signalling a shift towards diplomacy in Russia’s policy. Since October 7, 2023, when Hamas and several other Palestinian nationalist groups launched coordinated armed incursions into Israel, Russia, which had previously balanced relations between Israelis and Palestinians, has changed its approach. Russia also moved swiftly to renew its relations with Hamas and other Palestinian political factions[iii]. This military action is fraught with even greater dramatic consequences for Lebanon and the entire Middle East.

Source: The North Africa Journal November 19, 2024 17:24 UTC