Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book argues that although Moscow’s cooperation with the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries was reduced dramatically throughout the entire decade of the 1990s, it was never cut off completely. It analyzes the relations between Russia and Israel – a key country for the fragile balance of the region pointing at major historic episodes and key factors that defined the relationship in the past, shape the present and are likely to influence the future. The book focuses on patterns of bilateral relations between Russia and three key players in the Middle Eastern chess game: Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey. It explores European perceptions of Russia’s role in the MENA region. Since Russia’s annexation of Crimea especially, relations between Russia and the European Union – and several member states in particular – have worsened, and room for cooperation has shrunk considerably.