Exploring New Lenses to Study Russia's Evolving Role in the Middle East

Session Submission Type: Roundtable

Brief Description

What conceptual lenses are helpeful to study Russia's evolving role in the Middle East since its 2022 invasion of Ukraine? Past lenses have included Soviet historical ties, Russian strategic issues in competition with the West, and Russian foreign policy sometimes related to Islam and Muslims in Russia. This roundtable will present a series of recent case studies of Russia's evolving role in the Middle East, proferring lenses through which to examine the evolving role for Russia and Russians in the region and at home. Case studies include Russia and the Gaza crisis, Syria, sanctions and economic interests with the Gulf states and Turkey, the civil war in Libya, and regional terrorist groups.

Sub Unit

• Politics/Law

Chair

• Kimberly Marten, Barnard College / Columbia U

Roundtable Speakers

• Anna Borshchevskaya, Washington Inst for Near East Policy

• Robert Owen Freedman, Johns Hopkins U

• Dmitry Primus Gorenburg, Harvard U

• Mark Katz, George Mason U

• Jeffrey Mankoff, National Defense U