On February 19-20, 2018, the Valdai Discussion Club in partnership with the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences will hold a conference, titled “Russia in the Middle East: Playing on All Fields.” The conference will take place in the format of an expert dialogue with the participation of well-known politicians, diplomats, experts and public figures from more than 30 countries.
Russia’s policy in the Middle East, where the international relations are particularly complex and unpredictable, attracts a special attention. Moscow succeeded in using a variety of military and diplomatic methods to gain prestige and respect in the region where many global players have repeatedly suffered defeats. By playing “on all fields,” Russia was able to maintain working relations with different forces, sometimes despite fierce criticism.