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Moscow to the Arabs: Iran is our top ally
[ENGLISH.ALARABIYA.NET] The Arab-Russian Forum will convene at the ministerial level in Moscow next week, in the midst of the battle for Syria amid growing Russian-Turkish tensions and increasing talk of Saudi and Gulf ground intervention in Syria. The Russian foreign minister will be very clear in drawing the strategic frameworks for Russian policies in the Middle East, and will insist on an agenda that Arab ministers are unlikely to find compatible with Arab priorities.Sergei Lavrov will not soften his rhetoric just because he will be playing host, because the broad features of Russia's Middle Eastern policy, as drafted by President Putin, are not subject to negotiations from Moscow's viewpoint. If the Arab ministers still believe it will be possible to induce a radical change in Russian policy, then they will hit a solid wall and perhaps even condemnation because this will be seen as tampering with Russian national interests. These days, the Russian mood is stubborn and rigid, yet Russian diplomacy believes there are ways to soften relations with the Gulf countries despite the rift over Syria. Russia also believes that having special relations with Egypt is a crucial part of its goals in the Middle East, with one eye on ...the only place on the face of the earth that misses the Ottoman Empire.... . Meanwhile, ...back at the wrecked scow, Agent 49 felt gingerly for his head. It was still there. He had been hoping differently... Moscow is determined to win the battle for Aleppo at any cost. It does not take seriously the international anti-ISIS coalition in Syria, which it sees as futile. Russia also wants to let everyone know that its relations with Iran are not affected by anything. So, faced with all this Russian clarity, what will the GCC foreign ministers take with them to Moscow? Is there a single Arab agenda in the Arab-Russian forum? Or will Arab foreign ministers take their differences with them to the Russian capital and leave without making any achievement? Perhaps it is worthwhile for Arab ministers to understand Russia's military and political thinking before the meeting. Posted by: Fred 2016-02-23 |
| http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=446399 |