4th annual conference of the Middle East Dialogue of the Valdai International Discussion Club, titled “Islam in Politics: Ideology or Pragmatism?”, will take place in Marrakesh, Morocco, on May 14-15.
Issues of commonalities and differences in the Muslim communities of Russia and Canada, as well as problems of their integration into the legal frameworks of their respective countries, were the main topics of discussion at the conference Muslims in Russia, the CIS, and Canada: Cohabitation and Cooperation
The conference Muslims in Russia, the CIS, and Canada: Cohabitation and Cooperation presented by Carleton’ Institute of European, Russian and Eurasian Studies, the Department of Political Science, the Carleton Centre for the Study of Islam, and the Valdai Discussion Club is to be held on March 8, 2013 at the Carleton University, Ottawa.
The analytical report “Russia’s Economy: after Transformation, before Modernization” was prepared after discussions at the Valdai Discussion Club Summit held on October 21–22, 2012. The report incorporates many of the conclusions on Russia’s political development contained in the 2011 Valdai report “Russia Should Not Miss Its Chance: Development Scenarios”.
The Russia Development Index (Valdai Index) reflects the combined opinion of the world's leading experts on Russia as regards Russia’s political, economic, social, cultural and international performance. The annual poll aims to study changes in Russia’s development trends over a year. It is important that respondents assess not the current situation, but changes.
The analytical report “Military Reform: Toward the New Look of the Russian Army” summarizes the results of the conference of the Valdai Discussion Club Defense and Security section titled “Modernization of Russia’s Armed Forces and Cooperation in International Security” which was held on May 25-27, 2011 in Moscow.
05/20/201310:13 The agreement made in Cairo on forming a national unity government will allow the Palestinians to overcome discord and begin integration of all government structures.
05/17/201312:46 In light of the present situation in the Middle East, Russia and Israel find themselves facing common challenges. Under these newly emerging situations, Russia sees its partnership with Israel as a potential asset in resolving acute regional issues. From a Russian perspective, the compatibility of Israeli and Russian interests could contribute to such a partnership.
05/17/201310:06 Netanyahu arrived in Sochi to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The discussion, according to the two leaders, covered a wide range of issues, from the economic component of bilateral relations to the ongoing conflict in Syria.
01/31/201310:38 The fact of the recurring presence of the Russian fleet in a region in which a conflict is growing hotter constitutes a statement in and of itself. This Russian measure, accompanied by blunt rhetoric, indicates an effort at deterrence in the Syrian theater, as well as a general demonstration of force.
11/27/201212:13 Attempts by the United States to stimulate a reorganization of the Middle East have led to Iraq becoming a de facto Iranian backyard, an increase in general anxiety, and the worsening of the confrontation between the Sunnis and the Shiites. When the energy of the masses exploded into the “Arab Spring,” it turned out that these new sentiments carried many things, except growing sympathy for the West, America or Israel.
06/25/201211:09 Vladimir Putin is heading to the Middle East. The trip promises no sensations, but draws a lot of attention due to the radically changed situation in the region. This shift had made an enormous impact on Russian positioning in the Middle East game.
06/18/201209:20 New Arab elites will need Russia’s support. This primarily applies to Islamist parties whose agendas include relations with Russia – they need them at least as a counterbalance to the West. Mistrust of the West, serious disagreements, the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict in general and Israel’s actions in the region in particular are making Russia a useful partner and ally in some issues.
06/08/201216:21 The leading Russian experts on the Middle East discussed the recent developments in the region during the presentation of the Valdai Club analytical report “Transformation in the Arab world and Russia's interests” held in Moscow on June, 8. The report summarizes and expands ideas and insights expressed by the participants of the third conference of the Valdai Club Middle East section that was held in Sochi on February 17-18.
06/08/201209:19 The report, prepared by a group of leading Russian experts on the Middle East on the basis of the third conference of the Valdai Club Middle East section that was held in Sochi on February 17-18, examines the impact of the “Arab Spring” on the formation of a new regional alignment of forces and the external intervention in the processes occurring in the Arab East.
05/05/201210:46 According to media reports, Israel will host Russian President-elect Vladimir Putin in the first few weeks after his inauguration. This will be his second visit to Israel, with the first taking place in 2005. The timing of Putin’s visit, which is scheduled right after a trip to the U.S., has sparked speculation about the meaning of this move.
