All Policy Analysis by Anna Borshchevskaya

By portraying itself as a neutral broker when Israel, Iran, and other parties clash over Syria, the Kremlin seeks to further its own interests in the Middle East.

Two experts distill key points from their Mediterranean Advisory Group meeting on Russian policy in the Middle East and surrounding regions.

The muted response to the protests may stem from Russia's reliance on Iranian assistance in Syria and its dearth of other regional partners.

Putin continues to use weapons deals as a tool for gaining political influence and changing power dynamics abroad, courting virtually every government in the region.

The Kremlin has committed to the long game in the Middle East, so the West should do the same.

Moscow's actions suggest it will never be an honest broker or reliable partner for the West in combating terrorism.

While U.S. attention is focused on fires already raging in the Middle East, Russia is quietly expanding its presence in North Africa, to the detriment of U.S. interests.

Putin's recent summit with the Saudi leader is another diplomatic coup for the Kremlin, but it does not mark a fundamental shift in Russia's calculus on Iran or other regional issues.

Factors such as corruption, socioeconomic inequity, and ignorance among Russian officials regarding Islam could end up fueling radicalism rather than deterring it.

The two countries have found themselves at odds on several decades' worth of regional issues, but Riyadh may finally be coming around to Moscow's views on Syria, energy, and trade.

The Russian leader has achieved most of his goals in Syria at minimal cost, and he will continue to have his way there so long as Washington keeps deferring to him.

Moscow's growing outreach to Algeria, Libya, and neighboring states aligns well with its survival strategy of undermining the West while simultaneously working with it.

Warming Russian ties with Israel, the recent meeting suggests, will not include actual steps to curb Israeli foes such as Iran or Hezbollah.

The agriculture and military sectors of both countries stand to benefit from an agreement, even if the zone will not be an overall economic success.

As long as Putin keeps control of the narrative in Syria, he can forestall a resolution that compromises Russian interests.

Bluster from the Kremlin should not be interpreted to mean Putin wants a direct military confrontation with the United States.

The Institute's leading Russia expert outlines the best means of tempering Moscow's influence in the region, recommending a more active U.S. military and diplomatic role while explaining why Putin will never be a reliable partner there.

Russia's West Jerusalem announcement is more a signal to Washington than a benevolent gesture toward Israel.