Russia and the Arab World

AUB’s Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs is organizing a two-day conference entitled “Russia and the Arab World”, to be held at the Issam Fares Institute on Thursday 12, and Friday 13 May 2016.

Following the official announcement of Russia’s military intervention in Syria on 30 September 2015, a discussion around the Russian role in the Middle East became an increasing necessity that requires concentrated efforts in research and follow-up, to enable us to understand the political motives of the Kremlin in the region. The discussion also involves understanding the roles played by nationalism and religion in shaping President Putin’s political goals.

It is also vital to understand the political repercussions that accompany the military intervention, and the dynamics of the regional/international alliances in light of the US retreat from the Middle East.

Furthermore, the newly adopted Russian foreign policy towards the Middle East stirs a round of questions with regards to its determinants and ambitions, in addition to the Russian vision of the different conflicts in the region and their mode of solving them.
Additionally, the aforementioned policy asks a series of pressing questions with regards to the military intervention and its effects on the relations between Damascus and Tehran, and between Tehran and Moscow.

Finally, the conference will focus on: the geopolitical nationalistic factors that determine President Putin’s new policy; how the Russian foreign policy is being made; and what is the future of Russian-Arab relations and how it effects Lebanon. What is the limit of exercising military might by Moscow, and what does that incur in terms of responsibility for Russia with regards to protecting civilians?

Conference will be in English and Arabic with simultaneous interpretation.

Location: Issam Fares Institute