Abstract
Energy and Geo-Economics: Evidence Underpinning Russian Intervention in Syria Nada El Abdi Abstract It has been five years since Russia intervened militarily in the Syrian conflict. The interests in Syria are numerous and of great importance for the actors involved in this conflict. Russia, like the Allies and opponents of the Bashar Al-Assad regime, is fighting for geopolitical, geo-economic or ideological reasons. The Middle East region finds itself shaken by the sharp resurgence of a confrontation between actors allied to the United States, other allies of Russia, and this Syrian crisis thus impacts the geopolitical configuration of the region. This paper presents an analysis of the Russian intervention strategy in Syria. We argue that Russia intervened in Syria to strengthen the already existing Russian/Syrian alliance, to curb extremist proliferation and to take advantage of Syria's strategic position. The objective is to determine the reasons for the Russian military intervention in Syria related to energy and geo-economic interests. The Russian intervention in Syria was an ideal opportunity to draw closer to several powerful states in the region and a way to benefit from positive spin-offs on its arms market and hydrocarbon roads plans. Despite the risks and costs associated with defending the Syrian regime, Moscow has secured its political and economic power in the Middle East. Full Text: PDF DOI: 10.15640/jirfp.v8n2a2
Highlights
Having the largest natural gas reserves in the world and being the second largest oil exporter, Russia is seeking to extend its influence and reach as many world markets as possible
The Russian military intervention in Syria since 2015 was not part of the application of a grand Middle East or even global strategy but of a pragmatic search for the projection of energy and economic interests, and an attempt to resolve the closest concerns in the region, which are the primary concern of its foreign policy
This paper tried to highlight the geo-economic rationale for the Russian intervention in Syria
Summary
Having the largest natural gas reserves in the world and being the second largest oil exporter, Russia is seeking to extend its influence and reach as many world markets as possible. To achieve its goals and maintain its ability to develop appropriate policies for its energy client states, Moscow continues to work to create and maintain a monopoly on the production, transmission, and distribution of resources. It is successfully resolving political disagreements over the reduction of oil and gas exports. It uses supply cuts as a foreign policy weapon against countries resisting Russia's increased influence in their political or economic affairs. We will try to deconstruct this analysis by studying both the economic and political cooperation sought by Russia and the other key states it is trying to get closer to achieve its objectives in Syria and the region
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