Russia’s New Geopolitics and Interests in the Middle East

“Everything changes,” Putin said in 2017, when asked about Riyadh’s deep relationship with Washington. Saudi Arabia agrees arms deal in rapprochement with Russia Taking advantage of the power vacuum left in the Middle East by the White House, with the exit from Afghanistan, Russia’s military intervention in Syria, tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran, the war in Yemen… the Kremlin is becoming a key arbiter in the region, and as part of its geopolitical thrust, Moscow is seeking to strengthen bilateral cooperation with Riyadh while bringing closer political positions with the different regional actors. The Kremlin is taking advantage of the…