Russia once had a presence at the Syrian ports in the Mediterranean. That was a burden when Daesh mounted attacks within Syria creating a larger war than the existing civil war. Russia had it's focus on it's eastern border with former Soviet states, especially that of Ukraine. While that might be a statement about the plasticity of the Russian conventional forces, it doesn't mean Russia abandoned the Middle East.
President Putin has sent his foreign minister into the Middle East before while still occupying aggression on it's eastern border. The Russia foreign minister made a trip to Egypt. It was before Egypt mounted attacks into Libya to reduce the aggressions of Daesh.
This outreach to Iran is not a surprise. Russia is currently involved in expanding it's economic reach beyond any sanctions that exist with the West. Prime Minister Medvedev is personally overseeing the new trade agreements.
There are no more options for a more aggressive agreement with Iran. The current agreement is comprehensive and historic. It is far more than any other nuclear non-proliferation treaty negotiations in history. It is a good agreement and will provide a good foothold to unwind Iran's sanctions without escalating violence or war in the Middle East.
Now, that Russia and Iran are meeting with Syrian officials the hope for a stabilizing Middle East is better. The borders of Syria has to be stabilized. Turkey and NATO will work on their side of the country and Russia, Iran and Syrian government will work on their side of the borders. I think this trio will be successful in stabilizing the region while every other country is pulling in the same direction.
I wish them the best.
Let me say this as well. While The West has it's disagreements with Russia, historically, the world was a better place when The West and Russia were seeing global ambitions eye to eye. I still believe that benevolent place exists in the will of all countries and the agreement with Iran is proof.
August 4, 2015
By Reuters
Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem (click here) arrived in Tehran on Tuesday for talks with officials from allies Iran and Russia that are expected to focus on efforts to end the civil war in his country.
Iran and Russia have stood by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, providing military and financial support during more than four years of the conflict. The United States and some of its Gulf Arab allies have said Assad must leave office.
World powers led by the United States reached a nuclear agreement with Iran on July 14 but both sides have made it clear that the deal will not change their policies in the region.
Moualem on July 24 reiterated his government's view that Iran's support for Damascus would continue after the deal.
He will meet Mikhail Bogdanov, Russian President Vladimir Putin's special envoy to the Middle East, on Tuesday evening before holding talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Wednesday, Iranian media reported.
Russian and Iranian media quoted Bogdanov as saying the three deputy ministers were also due to hold a joint meeting.
Speaking about Moualem's visit, Iranian deputy foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian suggested the chances of a diplomatic resolution of the war were growing....
President Putin has sent his foreign minister into the Middle East before while still occupying aggression on it's eastern border. The Russia foreign minister made a trip to Egypt. It was before Egypt mounted attacks into Libya to reduce the aggressions of Daesh.
This outreach to Iran is not a surprise. Russia is currently involved in expanding it's economic reach beyond any sanctions that exist with the West. Prime Minister Medvedev is personally overseeing the new trade agreements.
There are no more options for a more aggressive agreement with Iran. The current agreement is comprehensive and historic. It is far more than any other nuclear non-proliferation treaty negotiations in history. It is a good agreement and will provide a good foothold to unwind Iran's sanctions without escalating violence or war in the Middle East.
Now, that Russia and Iran are meeting with Syrian officials the hope for a stabilizing Middle East is better. The borders of Syria has to be stabilized. Turkey and NATO will work on their side of the country and Russia, Iran and Syrian government will work on their side of the borders. I think this trio will be successful in stabilizing the region while every other country is pulling in the same direction.
I wish them the best.
Let me say this as well. While The West has it's disagreements with Russia, historically, the world was a better place when The West and Russia were seeing global ambitions eye to eye. I still believe that benevolent place exists in the will of all countries and the agreement with Iran is proof.
August 4, 2015
By Reuters
Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem (click here) arrived in Tehran on Tuesday for talks with officials from allies Iran and Russia that are expected to focus on efforts to end the civil war in his country.
Iran and Russia have stood by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, providing military and financial support during more than four years of the conflict. The United States and some of its Gulf Arab allies have said Assad must leave office.
World powers led by the United States reached a nuclear agreement with Iran on July 14 but both sides have made it clear that the deal will not change their policies in the region.
Moualem on July 24 reiterated his government's view that Iran's support for Damascus would continue after the deal.
He will meet Mikhail Bogdanov, Russian President Vladimir Putin's special envoy to the Middle East, on Tuesday evening before holding talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Wednesday, Iranian media reported.
Russian and Iranian media quoted Bogdanov as saying the three deputy ministers were also due to hold a joint meeting.
Speaking about Moualem's visit, Iranian deputy foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian suggested the chances of a diplomatic resolution of the war were growing....
