SYRIAN CRISIS IN SCOPE OF THE US-RUSSIAN COMPETITION IN MIDDLE EAST

Year 2018, Volume: 2 Issue: 3, 33 - 48, 26.12.2018

Serdar Yurtsever , Abubaker Alamaıles

Abstract

This study addresses the
issue of the competition between the United States and Russia in the Middle
East. The study examines the most important aspects which the two powers are
competing for in the Middle East. These aspects include: geopolitical field,
energy field and arms race. To better understand the US-Russia competition in
the Middle East, the current Syrian crisis is taken as a case study. The
investigation shows that the attitudes of the United States and Russia have
been contradictory and disagreeable in Syria. The strategic interests and
objectives that one party seeks to achieve are contrary to the interests and
objectives of the competing party. As a final result, the study proved that
what is happening in Syria represents the sharp competition between the United
States and Russia which can be considered as an extension of their broader
competition in the Middle East region. Also, since Syria holds a significant
position in the region in strategic, economic, and energy terms, the
possibility of reaching a complete solution depends on the compatibility of
visions and attitudes between the two major powers and this is unexpected to be
accomplished in the near future.

Keywords

Middle East, Competition, Syria, US

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