Russia's Interests in the Middle East and South Asia

Russia is reassessing its relationships with many countries in the Middle East and South Asia. Some long-established relationships, such as those with Syria and Iran, are being tested while ties with other countries (Iraq and Pakistan) could become more important. How these relationships develop will depend on numerous ongoing trends in the region, such as the political changes resulting from the Arab Spring, Iraq's potential re-emergence as a major oil exporter and the looming U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.

In the meantime, the regions will continue to be vital to Russia in maintaining leverage over the West — particularly the United States. The tension between Russia's direct interests in the Middle East and its interests relative to the United States will be critical for understanding Russian behavior in the region moving forward.