Understanding Russia and the UAE’s Special Partnership

by Giorgio Cafiero Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on October 15 with a delegation of Russian ministers, trade representatives, and officials. Putin’s trip to the Emirates—his first since 2007—was important for rapidly expanding Russian-UAE ties,… Continue Reading

Trump’s Kurdish Fumble: What’s in it for Putin?

by Mark N. Katz It is commonplace to observe that U.S. missteps in the Middle East will end up benefiting Moscow. Often, though, these observations are either mistaken or exaggerated. What is described as a misstep may only be a… Continue Reading

Can Russia Play Persian Gulf Mediator?

by Samuel Ramani On October 3, Saudi newspaper Asharq al-Awsat published a wide-ranging interview with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. In this interview, Lavrov reiterated Russia’s support for Syria’s return to the Arab League and extolled Saudi Arabia’s ability to… Continue Reading