Russian foreign policy towards the Middle East since the re-election of Vladimir Putin in 2012

Abstract

Beginning in 2012, as Vladimir Putin was re-elected as Russia's president for a third term, there was a level of Russian diplomatic activity in the Middle East unprecedented since the fall of the Soviet Union, as Moscow attempted to dig deeper, engage in regional issues, and establish contacts with Middle Eastern actors who Classified as legitimate forces, unlike separatist or rebel groups, Russia aimed to achieve political, economic, and security interests.