ABSTRACT
The decline and fall of the Soviet Union was an important event in the history of the Near East bringing about a situation which in some ways resembled that which obtained during the years 1917–21 between the eclipse of Tsarist Russia and the return of the Bolshevik state to the region. As it became more and more preoccupied with domestic matters, the influence of the Soviet Union declined during the late 1980s; as its economic problems grew so its generosity to its Near Eastern clients diminished. After its withdrawal from Afghanistan in 1988 the USSR became more reluctant to undertake regional commitments. And with the progress of democracy and the weakening of the Communist Party, Moscow’s control over the periphery of the USSR weakened. But the decisive step came at the end of 1991 when nearly all the Soviet republics declared their independence. For the time being, although in the long run it seemed likely that her continuing interests would restore her influence in the northern tier at least, Russia had little power and less inclination to intervene in the Near East but sought instead to operate in co-operation with the USA. This development posed several questions affecting in varying measure all parts of the Near East.
