Three weeks after the eruption of hostilities in Lebanon, Russia has remained uncharacteristically cautious and reserved.Fundamentally, Russia’s interests in the Middle East are focused on keeping oil prices as high as possible, and the deepening disaster in Iraq is taking care of that. Putin now wants to experience the thrill of a big political game where he does not even need to play against the United States, but could take advantage of its every misstep.
Baev, Pavel K. (2006) Moscow Quietly Raises its Game in the Middle East, Eurasia Daily Monitor. 31 July.
