Critical Review of Political and Diplomatic Ties Between Russia and the Gulf States
Summary
This article focuses on analyzing how Russia and the Arab Gulf States developed its diplomatic ties and their existing rapport. It also focuses on explaining how Russia established technical and military cooperation and the economic relation ties to steadily grow its geographical and political impact in the Arabian Gulf. The article also examines the Persian Gulf’s Cooperation Council for the Arab States handles the presence of homeland security in the region. The relationship between Gulf states and Russia began when Russia officially recognized and established diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia in 1932. However, these relations were suspended after the Soviets’ party changed their ideology and developed a restrained approach towards regional conflicts. Political ambitions and aggravation of international relations in the region also contributed to the decision of cutting ties with the Gulf states. The deployment of Soviet troops in Afghanistan strained the diplomatic ties with Kremlin-Riyadh, and the situation worsened in the 1990s when the country supported the separation of Chechnya and Kosovo.
Russia and Gulf states later revived their ties again due to common economic interest in the 2000s. The Moscow leaders tabled their interest in negotiating the energy-security problem in Eurasia and all over the globe during the G8 summit that was hosted in Russia in 2006. The leaders also insisted that they should be treated as energy superpowers, just their counterpart, the Russians but the suggestion was support from leading states. In 2006, Russian President Vladimir Putin approved policy documents in several areas of Homeland security to prioritize the energy sector, which was key to the development of Russia’s growing economic power. The approval of the policy was also meant to secure the country’s position a nuclear superpower by controlling key areas. Both the Russian and Persian Gulf monarchies share a similar challenge, and they largely depend on the oil market despite having massive energy resources.
The article highlights the formation of allies between different countries and the determining factors for such relations. The issue of the Iraq, Libya and Yemen national crisis, terrorism and global and political issues including the Iraq question were discussed in at foreign secretary-level by the Gulf states and Kremlin five meetings. The Russian- Iranian political negotiation was strengthened by the treaty that was signed by the countries’ presidents in 2001 in Moscow. The move was as a result of mutual view and interest and in crucial issues at the regional level and global scales such as strengthening the UN’s role in global affairs, establishing multi-polar world order, and dealing with rising threats and challenges. The Persian Gulf states constitute of Shia and Sunni, who are the two significant groups of Islam that are in constant conflicts of power. Shia Muslim total to 15% while Sunni Muslims total to 80-85% of the total Muslim population in the world.
The article indicates clearly that the conflicts in the Gulf are not caused by political interest and powerful countries are behind the chaos. The conflict between the group Muslim groups is not based on religion, but it is fueled by political interests between the Arabs and Iranians. The USA was pointed out by the Al Jazeera News and Opinion as to the one behind the conflicts in the Arab region. When the excessive expenditure by the USA on military expeditions and US oil corporations in the Middle East was no longer sustainable, it opted to withdraw their military forces and instead use sponsored Islamic hardliners in the areas to watch over the resources. The US took an active role in shaping the leadership in the Middle East, from their policy of supporting authoritarian leadership to democratic leadership. The conflict in Syria also divided the nations stand with every country supporting the leadership that seemed to be aligned to their interests.
Analysis
The article enlightens people about concealed facts in the conflicts around the Gulf. It reveals the basis in which political alignment are formed and the underlying interests for countries like the US and Russia who seem to sympathize the estranged countries that face conflicts. The news that was given by media houses who work with the government often make such conflicts appear to be local affairs, but a deep understanding of this article reveals that there are external players. The case was brought out clearly when the USA deployed their military in the Middle East to keep watch over the oil-rich fields while hiding behind the reason of crushing Muslim extremists. The USA government had to withdraw the forces and leave hardliners who could help them take the resources without raising the alarm. The Syrian war was a persistent case that involved disagreements between countries as to whether the incumbent regime is legitimate or if it should be ousted out. The conflict took long to settle, and there was little interest to help from countries like Russia and the USA who always take their military forces to restore and keep the peace.
The diplomatic relations highlighted in this article brings explains the interests behind various relations in different countries. In the case of Russian and Iranian dialogue, the two countries came together in order to create a balance of power in the world, and control potential threats and challenges. The change of ideologies in the Soviets’ part led to the collapse of diplomatic ties in 1932 between Russia and the Gulf States because the two no longer shared a common interest. The Shia and Sunni conflict attracted interest in different countries, depending on the ideologies of each group. Russia and china support the Shia group who are pro-Iranian while the west supports the Sunni group a decision that is significantly influenced by the Cold War. Countries offer political ties and support depending on whether the sponsoring country stands to gain from the outcome of the conflict.
Verdict
The article is key to opening up people’s mind to see the hidden facts when conflicts come up in the community or even between different countries. Youths who are the leaders of the current and future generation can use the facts in this article to make informed judgements without being blinded by superpower countries who take advantage of countries that have natural resources for their personal benefits, like in the case of Middle East. The article sheds light on the conflicts that are often labelled as religious, but in actual sense, they are fueled politically, and the warring groups are armed by countries who want to maintain their status-quo in power. The article should be read widely and applied in further studies that involve politics and religion. The article can help people to realize the lies that politicians and leaders tell their followers intending to gain personal benefits.