1. Protecting Eastern Christianity in the Middle East: Russia's New Diplomatic Tool
- Author:
- Bernard El Ghoul
- Publication Date:
- 06-2015
- Content Type:
- Journal Article
- Institution:
- ARI Movement
- Abstract:
- The intensification of Russia’s diplomacy in the Middle East is combined with a clearly defined objective: positioning itself as the new protector of persecuted Christians in the region. The author highlights both the ambitions of the Kremlin in the Mediterranean and the ever-growing influence of the Russian Orthodox Church, which has become a major political actor. Moscow sees Shiite Islam as its ally in the Middle East and is increasingly aligning itself with a Shiite axis composed of Iran, Syria, and the Lebanese Hezbollah. The author examines this burgeoning Russian-Shiite alliance in light of Russia’s strategic interests in the region.
- Topic:
- Diplomacy, Religion, Violent Extremism, and Hezbollah
- Political Geography:
- Russia, Europe, Middle East, Lebanon, and Syria