The Russia-Iran Alignment in the Middle East: The Main Dynamics and Limits of the Bilateral Security Cooperation

This article examines the main dynamics of Russia-Iran alignment and discusses its significance in Russian foreign policy Russia’s balancing strategy against US. In Middle East, Russia does not embrace an individual state as a constant ally seeks pragmatic cooperation with all regional states. Despite maintaining close Tehran since 1990s, has avoided building long-term binding alliance arrangements Iran. Instead, Moscow utilized relations Iran bargaining chip vis-à-vis US distanced itself from whenever there been rapprochement Russian-American relations. this regard, is example ‘hard balancing’ that draws on military formation mutual arms build-up aims at confrontation adversary. It can be best identified ‘soft initiative relies less confrontational methods such informal alignments limited to restrain threatening behavior rival state. Another significant limitation unwilling risk Israel Gulf states for sake considering potential those policy, energy, industry.