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. Russia successfully collaborates with Israel and Hezbollah, with Iran and Saudi Arabia, with the government and opposition in Syria, with the government in Tripoli, with the House of Representatives in Tobruk and tribes in southern Libya, with Qatar and Abu Dhabi. Military presence in the region at the same time becomes an important lever of influence, allowing the Kremlin to pursue a multi-vector policy, which became a visiting card of the Russian Federation in the Middle East.
In particular, the experts will discuss the post-war reconstruction of Syria, prospects of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict settlement and the situation in Yemen, mechanisms for helping Libya, the Kurdish problem, and how to reduce tensions in Iran’s relations with its neighbors. Particular attention will be paid to Russia’s role in the Middle East and its perception by other parties.
The multilateral dialogue within the framework of the Valdai Club conference will help to answer these and other crucial questions: What are the prospects of resolving the most acute conflicts? What impedes international cooperation, and what can give it a new impetus? What awaits the countries and peoples of the Middle East beyond the horizon of a rapidly approaching future?
Working languages: Russian, English, Arabic.
Information for the media! To attend, please fill out the accreditation form or call +7 926 930 77 63.
