Abstract
Under Presidents Putin and Medvedev, Russian Middle East policy has shifted from confrontation to cooperation with the United States, largely based on accommodation over the Iranian nuclear programme. However, with Putin back in the Kremlin for a third term in 2012, there is potential for a Russian backlash encouraged by an assertive US policy on Syria and increasing US penetration into Russian traditional spheres of influence, there is potential for a Russian backlash. This paper argues that the US policy towards Syria and Iran both represent threats to the United States “reset” policy with Russia. Therefore, a range of transnational issues are at stake, from missile defence to military cooperation on Afghanistan. Finding common ground and win-win solutions in the Middle East are therefore vital to advancing bilateral agreements and international treaties, most importantly those relating to arms reduction and nuclear policy, such as the new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START).
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