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19:06 22/02/2012

Transformation in the Arab World and Russia’s interests. Conference summary

The Arab Spring has shifted the balance in the Middle East, highlighting new problems and challenges for Russia and other regional and extra-regional powers.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov holds news conference
11:34 20/02/2012

Greeting Message of S.V. Lavrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia, to Participants of the Third Conference of Middle East Section of Valdai International Discussion Club, Moscow, 17 February 2012

On 17 February, the third conference of the Middle East Section of Valdai International Discussion Club commenced in Sochi. M.L. Bogdanov, the Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation for the Middle East and the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia, takes part in the conference. During the opening ceremony of the Forum he read off the following greeting message of S.V. Lavrov, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia.

Representatives of Syrian community with the posters "Freedom of Syria from Despotism", "Stop Blockade of Syrian Cities", "Long Live Friendship between Russian and Syrian Peoples"
13:07 22/02/2012

Russia’s return to the Middle East

Seen from Moscow, the Middle East lies on its very doorstep. With 20 million Muslims in the Northern Caucasus, Russia feels that its domestic stability is linked to developments in the Arab world, especially to the rise of Islamist parties. After a long absence, Russia is now demanding a seat for itself at the top table of Middle East affairs.

SEALE, Patrick
Rally in Syria
11:49 20/02/2012

“Friends of Syria” group inconsistent with UN Charter – Russian deputy foreign minister

The creation of a contact group for Syria similar to the League of Friends of the Syrian Opposition, whose mission is military intervention in a sovereign state, is entirely inconsistent with international law and the UN Charter

Embassy of Libya in Moscow lowered official flag of Jamahiriya
11:41 20/02/2012

Russia concerned over spread of Libyan weapons to terrorists – Russian Foreign Ministry

Weapon leaks from Libya are a factor that sharply increases terrorist risks not only in North Africa or sub-Saharan Africa, but across the globe.

09:33 19/02/2012

Frustrated Arabs urge action from Russia

Disappointed and bewildered by Russia's continued backing of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime, several Arab dignitaries and political analysts have called on Moscow to take a clear stance and urgent action to put an end to bloodshed in Syria. Meanwhile, Russian analysts and officials have argued that Moscow's position on Syria aims to protect its statehood and undercut what Russia calls Western attempts to unseat unwanted regimes by supporting the armed opposition.

Situation in Egypt
11:36 17/02/2012

Transformation in the Middle East amid Global Change

Russia and China may be better placed to play a more active role in the Middle East by intervening (in a positive way) in the crises gripping a number of countries in the region. Both nations enjoy long-standing friendly relations with the Arabs. But Moscow and Beijing must be clear about the meaning and consequences of the Arab Spring so as to steer the changes underway on their southern borders in the right direction.

QUREI, Ahmed (Abu Ala)
Riots hit Cairo, Egypt
13:18 19/02/2012

Expert: UN must play key role in supporting Arab Spring countries

International organizations and individual Western countries have promised to provide massive financial support to the Arab Spring countries but have not yet made good on their promises due to persistent instability.

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov
16:12 17/02/2012

Arab Spring No Justification for Interfering in Affairs of Regional Countries – Lavrov

The Arab Spring must not be used as justification for foreign interference in the affairs of sovereign states, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov writes in a message of greetings.

Conference, "Scenarios and Models of A Middle East Settlement"
13:55 19/02/2012

Valdai Club conference discussed transformation in the Arab World

Russia’s Sochi played host to the Valdai Discussion Club Middle East section’s conference “Transformation in the Arab World and Russia’s Interests” on February 17-18, 2012.

14:55 01/03/2012

Mikhail Bogdanov: Middle East Conference Outlined Interim Results of the Arab Spring

According to Mikhail Bogdanov, Russian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, though the Arab Spring began a year ago, which is a rather short period in historical terms for these types of transformation, preliminary and interim results can be outlined even now.

Situation in Libya. A rebel fighter with a machine-gun belt on his head on a street in Ras Lanuf.
10:13 16/02/2012

The Arab Spring – internal pressure and the scope for external actors

The Arab Spring is now into its second year and its forward momentum shows no sign of abating. Those who predicted – or hoped – that the spring would be followed by another long winter have been proved wrong. The situation in the whole region has been completely transformed and old truths no longer hold.

MOSSBERG, Mathias
Situation in Egypt
11:01 15/02/2012

Mixed perceptions of Russia in Egypt

Unlike during the Soviet era, when Moscow used to support all revolutions and national liberation movements around the world, this time Russia did not offer any direct support to the revolutions and rebel movements in any of the Arab countries.

EL-SHEIKH, Nourhan
14:47 14/02/2012

Infographics: Unrest in the Arab countries

Throughout 2011 the Arab world was marked by riots and protests.

Situation in Libya. Oppositional forces during a Friday prayer near the town of Ra's Lanuf.
10:52 14/02/2012

Arab revolutions may take decades

The results of the Arab Spring – positive or negative – will become clear later. What’s important are the long-term results, not the short-term results. Has the United States played a role in the current processes in the Arab world? Are the West or Iran involved? The answer is yes.

KANBOLAT, Hasan
A demonstration on Abbassia Square, Cairo.
11:15 13/02/2012

Arab Spring and its impact on the balance of power in the region

The most striking of the new phenomena has been the triumph of Islamic parties – in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, and perhaps one day in Yemen and Syria as well. We don’t yet know how the Islamists will behave in government. Will they adopt the Turkish model of Islam allied to secular democracy, or will they slip back into Salafi fundamentalism?

SEALE, Patrick
U.S. Secretary of State gives news conference after talks with Russian Foreign Minister
13:56 10/02/2012

Dead End in Damascus

Syria is just another shipwreck resulting from Obama’s reset policy hitting the reefs. The conflicting Russian and U.S. interests in the Middle East are coming to the fore. From the Kremlin’s perspective, the practically inevitable collapse of the Assad regime would constitute a net loss.

COHEN, Ariel
Pro-presidential rally in Damascus
10:02 09/02/2012

Russia and China have valid reasons for UN position on Syria

Resolving the conflict in Syria requires taking into consideration the perspectives of all the parties involved, not just laying the blame at the feet of one side.

PRIMAKOV, Yevgeny
Syrians offering welcome to Russian delegation on Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov's and Intelligence Service Chief Mikhail Fradkov's arrival in Syria.
10:25 08/02/2012

Russia mediates between Syria and the West

Considering its special geopolitical location in the region and fragile interreligious balance, if Syria does not begin a national dialogue without foreign interference, these consequences will affect the interests of all countries – Russia, Europe, the United States and Arab states. The conflict in Syria is increasingly acquiring religious overtones.

AKSENYONOK, Alexander
Residents of Syrian capital
10:19 06/02/2012

Why is Russia so resolute on Syria?

­Syria is now issue number one in global affairs, and the question which almost all foreign diplomats and journalists are asking their Russian colleagues is why Moscow stubbornly persists in protecting Bashar al-Assad. Isn’t the Russian leadership aware that his regime is doomed to fall? I don’t believe that Moscow is that short-sighted.

LUKYANOV, Fyodor
Syrians rally in support of President Bashar al-Assad
10:27 21/11/2011

Why Russia is opposing pressure on Syria

The situation in Syria seems to be approaching its culmination. Criticism of Bashar Assad’s regime is growing, while Russia remains one of few countries which oppose increased pressure. Why is Moscow hesitant while even the Arab League demands Assad’s departure? There are several reasons.

LUKYANOV, Fyodor
19:29 17/02/2012

Conference: Transformation in the Arab World and Russia’s interests

Valdai Discussion Club Middle East section’s conference “Transformation in the Arab World and Russia’s Interests” opened on February 17, 2012

Andrey Baklanov, Head of International Affairs Department, Council of Federation of the Federal Assembly of Russia
09:55 22/02/2012

Andrei Baklanov: Dissolution of Camp David Accords could lead to anarchy

The cancellation of the Camp David Accords, which contains military and political obligations on both Egypt and Israel, could lead to anarchy that would be equally damaging to Egypt’s interests, thinks Andrei Baklanov, Head of International Affairs Department, Council of Federation of the Federal Assembly of Russia.

BAKLANOV, Andrei
Peter Harling: Shifting the Balance of Power in the Middle East Region
10:18 22/02/2012

Peter Harling: Shifting the Balance of Power in the Middle East Region

According to Peter Harling, Egypt, Syria and Lebanon Project Director, International Crisis Group, Syria, previously an important central player n the region, became an arena where other actors, especially Turkey and Iran, can play.

Patrick Seale, leading British writer on the Middle East
10:27 22/02/2012

Patrick Seale: It’s time for Russia to reemerge in Middle East

Patrick Seale, a leading British writer on the Middle East and the author of several books about Syria and the Arab world, shares his opinion on Russia’s role in the Middle East on the sidelines of an international conference, entitled “Transformation in the Arab World and Russia’s Interests,” held on February 17-18 in the Russian Black Sea resort city of Sochi.

SEALE, Patrick
Mustapha Tlili
14:21 20/02/2012

Mustapha Tlili: Russian resolution on Syria was blocked due to the lack of flexibility for Western intervention

According to Mustapha Tlili, Special Adviser to the President of the 66th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, Russian resolution was blocked by the United Nations because of the insistence of the Western and Arabic side to have clear mandate for intervention.

TLILI, Mustapha
Ahmet Mesut Yilmaz, Former Turkish Prime Minister
14:25 20/02/2012

Ahmet Mesut Yilmaz: No hope for fruitful talks between Assad and his opponents

Ahmet Mesut Yilmaz, former Turkish Prime Minister: The dialogue between the Syrian regime and its opponents won’t bring positive results. Step down of Bashar al-Assad is the only way for a peaceful solution in Syria.

Rami Tahboub
14:32 20/02/2012

Rami Tahboub: Russia can play an equivalent role to balance the U.S. in the peace process

Russia can play an equivalent role to balance the U.S. position on the peace process in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict as it’s getting much more into its normal position as a superpower, thinks Rami Tahboub, Assistant to the Palestine Minister of Foreign Affairs for International Economic Relations.

TAHBOUB, Rami
14:55 01/03/2012

Mikhail Bogdanov: Middle East Conference Outlined Interim Results of the Arab Spring

According to Mikhail Bogdanov, Russian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, though the Arab Spring began a year ago, which is a rather short period in historical terms for these types of transformation, preliminary and interim results can be outlined even now.

Andrey Baklanov, Head of International Affairs Department, Council of Federation of the Federal Assembly of Russia
09:55 22/02/2012

Andrei Baklanov: Dissolution of Camp David Accords could lead to anarchy

The cancellation of the Camp David Accords, which contains military and political obligations on both Egypt and Israel, could lead to anarchy that would be equally damaging to Egypt’s interests, thinks Andrei Baklanov, Head of International Affairs Department, Council of Federation of the Federal Assembly of Russia.

BAKLANOV, Andrei
Peter Harling: Shifting the Balance of Power in the Middle East Region
10:18 22/02/2012

Peter Harling: Shifting the Balance of Power in the Middle East Region

According to Peter Harling, Egypt, Syria and Lebanon Project Director, International Crisis Group, Syria, previously an important central player n the region, became an arena where other actors, especially Turkey and Iran, can play.

Patrick Seale, leading British writer on the Middle East
10:27 22/02/2012

Patrick Seale: It’s time for Russia to reemerge in Middle East

Patrick Seale, a leading British writer on the Middle East and the author of several books about Syria and the Arab world, shares his opinion on Russia’s role in the Middle East on the sidelines of an international conference, entitled “Transformation in the Arab World and Russia’s Interests,” held on February 17-18 in the Russian Black Sea resort city of Sochi.

SEALE, Patrick
Mustapha Tlili
14:21 20/02/2012

Mustapha Tlili: Russian resolution on Syria was blocked due to the lack of flexibility for Western intervention

According to Mustapha Tlili, Special Adviser to the President of the 66th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, Russian resolution was blocked by the United Nations because of the insistence of the Western and Arabic side to have clear mandate for intervention.

TLILI, Mustapha
Ahmet Mesut Yilmaz, Former Turkish Prime Minister
14:25 20/02/2012

Ahmet Mesut Yilmaz: No hope for fruitful talks between Assad and his opponents

Ahmet Mesut Yilmaz, former Turkish Prime Minister: The dialogue between the Syrian regime and its opponents won’t bring positive results. Step down of Bashar al-Assad is the only way for a peaceful solution in Syria.

Rami Tahboub
14:32 20/02/2012

Rami Tahboub: Russia can play an equivalent role to balance the U.S. in the peace process

Russia can play an equivalent role to balance the U.S. position on the peace process in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict as it’s getting much more into its normal position as a superpower, thinks Rami Tahboub, Assistant to the Palestine Minister of Foreign Affairs for International Economic Relations.

TAHBOUB, Rami
 


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