Moscow’s Mediterranean: Moves and Countermoves

The slip that Russia may be seeking a naval base in Cyprus caused an uproar in the EU but is unsurprising considering the Russian Navy’s 2020 vision strategy; coupled with the wars in nearby Ukraine and Syria, the Greek debt crisis, and the “Turkish Stream” pipeline, Russia’s hand in the Eastern Mediterranean is on the up.

Turkey: A New Face for South Stream?

In the wake of South Stream’s surprise cancellation, Turkey presents an opportunity for Russia to bypass Ukraine and still reach the European market, but price concessions may be needed to entice Ankara. Concrete plans have not followed the cancellation, leaving room for a policy reversal yet again.

Vladimir of Arabia: Moves and Countermoves

Russia may not maintain as high a profile in MENA affairs, but its political clout in the increased in the region, particularly among anti-Islamist governments, as it opposes Western regime changes throughout the region.