(MENAFN- Qatar News Agency) Doha, January 23 (QNA) - The rivalry between Russia and the United States for spheres of influence in the world, especially in the Middle East, has raised the attention of observers recently.
After years of Russia's absence, it is recently seizing the opportunity remarkably to extend its control over certain areas in a bid to restore its former glories, amid rumors about the US retreated role around the world, and its concern about other files, most recently the electoral process.
Russia has returned to the "Geostrategic" game in the Middle East, especially after its military intervention in Syria, after the decline of the American role in the wake of its intervention in Afghanistan and Iraq, and the underestimation of the Syrian crisis by the former US administration.
Both sides, for different reasons, are trying to bridging the gap between them about several issues. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced recently that had agreed with US President Donald Trump on the need to repair ties between the two countries, saying that it is an important for both peoples and for ensuring world stability and security.
Meanwhile, the Trump's administration is showing an interest to repair the relationship with Russia after Moscow's policy represented a dangerous geographic and political challenge to the United States, especially after Russia took control of serious spheres of influence were previously counted in favor of the latter.
Since the collapse of the Soviet Union until 2001, Russia has focused on its internal reforms and on its economic interests and distanced itself from conflicts, including the Arab Spring revolutions. However, after loosing grounds in Libya, it changed its position towards Syria.
The Arab World represents a strategic importance for Russia due to its geographic closeness. Moreover, Russia is seeking to control the gas pipeline which passes through the Syrian territory and feeds Europe, as well as the port of Latakia, which is the only outlet for Russia and its interests in the west side, and thus compensate for its loss of the oil companies in Libya.
The Syrian crisis is one of the most prominent points of disagreement between Russia and the United States. Putin is aware that Syria is the most important battle for Russia in the Mediterranean, because by loosing this water, Russia will loose the Middle East as a whole after it emerged from Libya and Iraq.
Putin is seeking to consolidate relations with the United States for several reasons, the most important of which is the agreement on dividing the spheres of influence, rather than engaging in hot or cold wars.
The recent US-Russian Convergence comes in the context of defining interests and prioritization through managing conflicts over spheres of influence, which besides Syria and other places in the Middle East, include Latin America, Europe, the African continent, and the Caucasus because of its oil resources in the Caspian Sea. (QNA)
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