The Swiss cheese policy. (c2014)

Abstract

The Middle East is currently witnessing the return of the Russian Federation as a major power after years of decline. Russia today has done a great comeback regionally and internationally. It has played a great role in the Syrian and Iranian Crisis, with a firm position opposing the international community in the two. Russia has achieved its major goal of regaining a strong position as a powerful player in the Middle East making use of its best tools Syria and Iran. This thesis will try to answer the following research questions: What factors allowed the Russian influence revival in the Middle East? Why does it want to support Iran and Syria in opposition to the international community? The first argument proposed will highlight the aim behind the Russian-Iranian and Russian- Syrian support, not only for the sake of economic benefits, but also for two major reasons. The first is to regain its powerful role on the international level, and second, to restore its influence in the Middle East, which constitutes a major strategic interest for Russia. The second argument proposed will identify the three main factors Russia made use of in order to comeback as a strong power and firmly stand against the international community. First, the improved domestic factors within the Russian federation, second, the declined influence of the United States in the international world order, and third, is the change in the political orders of the Middle East. Those factors gave way for Russia to revive its influence in the Middle Eastern and international arena.