Valdai Club

Oleg Kashirskih

Arnaud Kalika

Mikhail Konarovsky

Andrey Kortunov

Taimur Khan

Emmanuel Karagiannis

Srikanth Kondapalli

Nadjib Riphat Kesoema

Vali Kaleji

Grigory Kosach

Russian Federation

Professor of the Chair of Modern East Department of History, Political Science and Law in RSUH.

Materials

War in Syria: Two Coalitions, Two Approaches

The general outline of the Russian-American competition will be similar to Soviet-US conflicting relations during the Cold War that were engendered not only and not so much by the Arab-Israeli strife, as by the tough confrontation between Arab “conservative” and “progressive” regimes.

Deputy Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman Al Saud’s Visit to Sochi: No Breakthrough

On October 11, Defense Minister, Second Deputy Prime Minister and Deputy Crown Prince (and son of the ruling monarch) Mohammad bin Salman Al Saud paid a short visit to Sochi.

Bashar al-Assad: His Vision and Thoughts

The most vivid evidence of al-Assad’s independence was his statement on his readiness to resume contacts, almost immediately, with “two-faced” US and European (apparently also Saudi and Qatar) politicians who are using double standards if “this is required by the interests of the Syrian people.”

The Islamic State: A Problem Far from Resolution

Nobody today questions the need to confront the Islamic State (ISIL). The expansion of ISIL calls into question the immutability of borders in the Middle East, the preservation of the countries there, and the demographic structure of its population.

Yemen: Internal and External Factors

The events in Yemen were triggered by the breakdown of the consensus between the elites of society, which is fragmented along tribal and regional lines.

The Paris Conference on Iraq: Pessimistic Forecasts?

Any anti-ISIL operation in Iraq cannot be effective unless the Islamic State is attacked in Syria. But the final statement of the Paris Conference did not mention Syria as a precaution against disunity in the coalition and with due regard for the Russian position. Professor of the Chair of Modern East Department of History, Political Science and Law in RSUH

The Saudi-Iranian Rivalry Comes to Iraq

The events in Iraq are the latest chapter in the regional rivalry between Iran and Saudi Arabia. Riyadh has always considered Maliki’s government pro-Shiite and, hence, pro-Iranian, and seen Iraq as a wellspring of Iranian influence.

Syria Crisis: On the Road to Geneva-2

Even if the Geneva conference takes place, representation at it will not be so substantial, and will hardly reflect the entire range of attitudes and interests of all parties involved in the conflict. Russia may suggest a conference, but it cannot predict its outcome. The Arab League has become a fairly obedient instrument in the hands of the leading Gulf countries.

How to Stop Feigning Activity in Education

It is obvious that the Russian system of higher education needs to be reformed. The trouble is that we are stuck in a period of interregnum. On the one hand we have one foot firmly planted in the Soviet past while at the same time we are trying to become a modern industrialized state. That is the reason behind many of our problems, above all in education.

Islamization of the Middle East and Russia's Muslim Strategy

The impact of the ongoing processes in the Middle East and North Africa on the regional balance of power may affect Russia’s positions to a much greater extent than those of the United States. Russia is faced with the need to revise its strategy both regarding Arab countries and its own Muslim community.

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