Russia in the Middle East

Hamas' terrorist attack on Israel and the resurgence of a hot Middle East conflict in October 2023 is attracting the attention not only of regional actors but also of the global community. Russia's reaction in particular is being watched with great interest. Russia, as the legal successor state of the Soviet Union, has a deep-rooted history of engagement in the Middle East. In addition to current Russian reactions to the Middle East conflict, this report is dedicated to the historical role of the Soviet Union and Russia in the region and highlights Russian interests in the Middle East.