by Mark N. Katz Although it began in 2011 as a conflict between the Bashar al-Assad regime and its internal opponents, Syria has become an arena in which numerous conflicts are taking place simultaneously. Early on it became a conflict… Continue Reading
by Mark N. Katz Russia and Iran, as is well known, have been cooperating closely in Syria. The combination of ground forces from Iran and its various Shi’a militia allies plus primarily air forces from Russia have succeeded in helping… Continue Reading
by Mark N. Katz Among the many other Saudi-Russian agreements that have been announced during King Salman’s visit to Moscow, Saudi-owned al-Arabiya TV declared that Riyadh is buying Russian S-400 air defense missiles. This is a highly significant move because, though… Continue Reading
by Mark N. Katz Russia and China recently completed a joint naval exercise in the Baltic Sea—a part of the world that is far from China. Immediately afterward, though, three Chinese naval vessels that participated in the exercise paid a… Continue Reading
by Mark N. Katz According to some U.S. government officials, Russia has played a key role in the recent breakdown of relations between Qatar on the one hand and Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, and their dependents (such as Bahrain,… Continue Reading