How will the Russia-Iran alliance play out?
In this article, Ahmad Abdel-Rahman discusses the significance of Russian-Iranian competition as well as their alliances in the Middle East,
along with its political and economic dimensions.
Russia views Iran as vital geographically. It is not only an important land crossings to the warm waters of the Gulf and the Indian Ocean but it is also important strategically as a significant part of Eurasia.
Iran has benefited from its geopolitical relations with Russia. This is especially true since it is an important regional power in the Middle East and Central Asia. (Its area is more than 1,600,000 square kilometers, its population exceeds 80 million people, and its GDP is about a USD 200 billion). Both the Iranian and Russian leadership view US policy negatively, since the US has imposed sanctions on both countries. It is not surprising that they both reject American hegemony. Indeed, this is a fundamental principle of the foreign policy of both countries. While Russia grapples with hegemony at the global level, Iran is trying to limit US influence at the regional level
From this perspective, Moscow (the Russian capital), and Tehran (the Iranian capital) can be considered strategic partners in the Middle East. For the first time since 1979, Iran has allowed foreign military forces to be deployed on its soil., And in Syria, Russia provided air cover and Iran provided ground forces. These efforts resulted in contributing to the defeat of the terrorist organization ISIS in Syria.
However, since the Russian president's special envoy to Syria, Alexander Lavrentiev, announced the need to withdraw all foreign forces from Syria, a wave of statements have erupted in Tehran rejecting this new Russian policy.
The Iranian presence in Syria aims to strike a balance in power with other regional and international parties that have interests in Syria. But it also coincides with Iran's intention to expand its influence in the Middle East and improve its economic situation. Iran also wants the US to acknowledge its importance in the region. In 2015 Iran achieved this, exemplified by the nuclear agreement. Overall, Iran's regional strategy attaches great importance to the alliances or partnerships with the major powers, given the American hegemony over all regional and international interactions. But despite its attempts to do so, Iran has not achieved a good relationship with the US. Hence, Iran has benefited from its alliance Russia, through its economic partnership agreements, and security cooperation as well as cooperation in the energy field.
Russia is also trying to strengthen economic relations with the countries in the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia, through a North-South axis. In this respect, Iran plays the role of a transit country of pivotal importance to Russia.
Iran's influence in Syria has reduced since Russia's military intervention in the Syrian crisis. But it is important to remember that Russia's policy in Syria takes Israel's security into account, which is not acceptable to Tehran. It uses its ally Hezbollah as a weapon on Israel's borders. Furthermore, Moscow insists that Tehran pays it the true value of the weapons it purchases from Russia. And, and there are those who believe that a Russian-American-Iranian-Israeli understanding is underway to create a new Middle East, in which Russia, along with these international and regional powers, plays an important role.
The Russian-Iranian competition is at its fiercest today in the Middle East. But both countries need to take into account the strategic interests of each country, especially in terms of economic benefits. They must also take into account the political repercussions that may ensue, by trying to find appropriate ways to settle crises experienced by countries engaged in the cycle in of armed conflict in the Middle East. This often manifests itself through arms sales, and other military and logistical aspects issues whether it be organizational or training experiences,
With an increasing awareness of the Russian-Iranian alliance in the Middle East,competition between and within countries will continue, will continue, as well as the intersection of strategic interests.
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