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Russia in a new and growing role

Vladimir Radyuhin

Moscow is reaping the fruits of its even-handed policy in West Asia.

RUSSIA HAS thrust itself on to the centre stage of West Asia politics, effectively elbowing out the United States as an "honest broker" in the turbulent region. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's visit to Moscow during December 18-20 confirmed Russia's new role in West Asia.

"Russia could become the [main] sponsor of the Middle East peace process and carry out this role effectively," the Syrian leader told reporters after meeting President Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin. "Russia has begun playing a real role in the region."

Mr. Assad's visit followed a trip by Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora and coincided with a two-day Moscow visit by the Director-General of Israel's Foreign Ministry, Aharon Abramowitch.

While Mr. Siniora asked Moscow to use its influence with Damascus to stop the pro-Syria Opposition trying to bring down his Cabinet, President Assad sought Russia's political support on the issue of an international tribunal to go into the assassination of Lebanese Premier Rafik Hariri and Moscow's mediation in reviving the dialogue with Israel and the United States.

Over the past couple of months President Putin has hosted in Moscow Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.

Russia is reaping the fruits of its even-handed policy in the region in recent years after it backed away from the one-sided Soviet-era support for the Arabs in their confrontation with Israel and the U.S., and built friendly, balanced relations with all players in the region. Last year, President Putin paid a historic visit to Israel, the first ever by a Russian leader. Practically all Israeli Prime Ministers have visited Russia several times each since the two countries restored diplomatic relations 15 years ago.

Major arms supplier

At the same time, Russia has largely restored its position in the Arab world as a strategic partner and major weapons supplier. Russian defence manufacturers are busy churning out missiles, armoured vehicles, and fighter jets for Syria, Iran, Algeria, Kuwait, Yemen, and the United Arab Emirates, and are tying up with Israeli arms companies for joint projects in third countries.

Moscow's ability to engage all sides has come particularly handy at a time when West Asia has been hit by three intertwined crises — the war in Iraq, the standoff in Lebanon between Hizbollah and the Government, and the creeping civil war in Palestine.

In fact, Russia is the only United Nations Security Council member that has kept its door open to all sides in the conflicts. European nations have turned their back on Syria after Mr. Hariri's murder. The U.S. refuses to talk to Iran and Syria despite growing calls on Capitol Hill to engage both countries in order to avert the looming catastrophe in Iraq.

Moscow has been demonstrating remarkable diplomatic prowess in handling its West Asian interlocutors. It has voiced readiness to support limited sanctions against Iran while retaining close contacts with Tehran. President Putin reaffirmed Russia's strategic ties with Syria, while at the same time hosting Lebanon's anti-Syrian Prime Minister in the Kremlin a day before President Assad arrived for talks. Russia has supported the establishment of the Hariri tribunal, but came out against using it as a political weapon against Syria.

Irrespective of how far and whether at all its efforts would help untangle the West Asian crises, Russia has already asserted itself as a respected, responsible, and influential player in the region.

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