Middle East Politics.Net » Russia

Iran Proposes Nuclear Plants with Arab Countries

bjrussel — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 06:42:21 +0000

Sunday, the head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, Gholam Reza Aghazadeh, stated that Iran is going to offer to build joint light-water nuclear power plants with its Arab neighbors. These states have been historically suspicious of Persian military might–suspicions that have been aroused anew with the development of Tehran’s nuclear program. In reaction to the internationally controversial program, many Arab countries announced plans to develop their own nuclear projects. This proposal therefore hopes to alleviate Arab fears and in the process no doubt strengthen Iran’s claim that its nuclear energy will be used for peaceful purposes only. Russia is assisting Iran in the construction of its nuclear power plant, scheduled to open in 2009.

Bridget Russell

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Iran and Venezuela Seek Oil at $100 a Barrel

bjrussel — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 04:20:41 +0000

OPEC countries convened for a second emergency meeting to discuss falling oil prices. Prices fell again Thursday after the publication of another rise in United States crude oil reserves, marking the ninth consecutive week of rising supplies. Iran and Venezuela joined forces during the meeting, calling for another cut in oil production amounting to a 1 million barrels less per day produced by the cartel. Iran and Venezuela, the second and fifth largest oil producers respectively, are dependent upon crude prices of $100 a barrel to balance their budgets. They want OPEC to institute cuts immediately to target barrel prices of $80-$100, but experts say that another cut in oil prices before the scheduled December 17th meeting is unlikely.

The continued decline in crude oil prices has led President Medvedev of Russia to pledge his country’s support for further production cuts. Aligning his policies with Iran and Venezuela within OPEC, he has called for immediate cuts to stabilize prices Even if Iran is unsuccessful this time, calls for more cuts will no doubt continue as President Ahmadinejad seeks reelection next year in the midst of 30% inflation, spurred by the fall in oil prices.

Bridget Russell

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Russia to Complete Iranian Nuclear Plant

stevencc — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 04:16:21 +0000

Amid rising international tensions over Iran’s continued nuclear programs, Russia has stated that it will have Iran’s first nuclear plant completed by 2009. The plant, named Bushehr, is being built in Southwest Iran along the Gulf coast. Russia has already given Iran nuclear fuel under a $1 billion contract to complete the project, which has been repeatedly delayed for financing reasons. The concept of Iran first building a nuclear plant came in the 1970′s with the German firm Siemens, but construction was halted first as a result of the 1979 revolution and then again as a result of the 1980-88 Iraq-Iran War. Russia assisting in the creation of this plant is an interesting political move considering the nearly unanimous opposition to Iran’s nuclear ambitions by the West. Russian relations with the United States had improved after the end of the Cold War, but have since cooled since Putin’s rise to power and subsequent administration of the country. Russia’s completion of the Iranian plant may further strain relations with the West and serve to further divide the international community.

Steven Craig

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Iran Aims for 2009 Launch of Nuclear Plant

bjrussel — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 08:17:33 +0000

The spokesman for Iran’s Atomic Energy Corporation, Mohsen Delaviz, stated that their first nuclear plant will open sometime in 2009. Russia agreed to build the plant in 1995, but it has continuously been delayed due to payment problems. The Bushehr plant is, interestingly enough, located on the same site as the plant that was planned with the German company Siemens in 1970. This emphasizes the fact that this nuclear plant has been a long sought after achievement. The Russian firm building the plant stated that they would begin work in December 2008, which would put the plant on an “irreversible path” to completion. As Moscow has used the plant as a lever with its relations with Tehran for the past 13 years, the date is much appreciated by the Iranians. The United States of course continues to insist that Iran cease its nuclear program.

Bridget Russell

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Somali Pirates Hijack Oil Tanker

brgordon — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 06:12:14 +0000

On Monday, the U.S. Navy confirmed that Somali pirates seized the Sirius Star, owned by Aramco, t he Saudi oil company. The ship, carrying a crew of 25, was boarded by the pirates while it was near the Kenyan coast. It was located by the Navy after the pirates had taken it about 450 nautical miles to the southeast. Along with the U.S. Navy fleet that is currently in the Gulf of Aden, a NATO flotilla of seven warships, a Russian frigate and Indian vessels have gone to help. The Sirius Star is the size of an aircraft carrier and is drawing so much attention because of the two million barrels of oil it is carrying.

Brandie Gordon

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Libya Shopping for Weapons

dcrowley — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 03:56:09 +0000

Since 2003, the Libyan government has developed friendly relations with the rest of the world, and with this the prospect of trade has vastly increased for the North African country. In particular, Libya is seeking a supplier for modern weapons from many European countries. During the Soviet era, Libya received aircraft, small arms and missiles from that source, however this ended after the fall of the Soviet Union. Because Libya is now relatively friendly with many European powers, it has the ability to shop around for these weapons.

Libya and Russia created closer ties recently and according to the Associated Press, $4.5 billion in debt was written off by Russia in exchange for a lucrative petroleum and railway contract. The two countries have also recently signed a “deal on cooperation in peaceful use of nuclear energy.” Increasing ties since the collapse of the USSR have made Russia a viable supplier of these weapons again.

However, Russia is not Libya’s only source of weapons. Gadhafi recently undertook week-long tour of Russia, Belarus and Ukraine, and with their Soviet era weapons factories, Belarus and Ukraine have become strong competitors in the market for weapons. As well, Gadhafi claims that he has received offers from Britain, France and Italy, allowing Libya to seek the best price.

David Crowley

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Lebanon Plans Arms Deal with Russia

sdemetri — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 23:31:54 +0000

According to early reports by JTA news service, Lebanon and Russia have arranged an arms deal by which the Lebanese army will be supplied with tanks and artillery. On Monday, Saad Hariri, Lebanon’s majority leader, met with Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to discuss the plan. Hariri later reported that “[Putin] promised to help the Lebanese army, which needs heavy arms right now.” In exchange for these military provisions, Lebanon will offer political support to one of the most globally controversial issues currently facing Russia: although the decision is not yet official, Lebanon is expected to officially recognize the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, disputed regions that recently broke away from Georgia and are presently recognized only by Russia and Nicaragua. Justifying the move, Hariri noted parallels in Lebanon’s own experience, saying “The Lebanese know the situation of South Ossetia…[We] are also a small and threatened country. On one side we have Israel, which has already attacked us more than once. On the other side we have Syria, which also threatens us from time to time.”

Stefanie Demetriades

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Syria Hopes President-Elect Obama Will Improve Relations

Joshua Bark — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 19:24:29 +0000

The great deal of hyperbole surrounding the recent American elections has spread around the world. Now Syria is expressing hope that the new administration will improve relations.

The endless complexity of international relations is expressed by a Syrian official who is reported to have complained also about relations between Cuba and the United States. Obama’s administration surely will have a complicated situation on their hands, as relations between Syria and the U.S. have only worsened since the U.S. invasion of Iraq–which Obama did not support. While this may give him credibility with the Syrian government, actions taken in office will surely count for more. Also, the relationship between Syria and Cuba also shows that issues in Iraq and Syria alone will not be enough to repair the damage between the countries.

Of course, one should not forget about the talks between Israel and Syria regarding the Golan Heights and sponsorship of violence. Syria is also improving its relations with Russia. The U.S. involvement in all of these issues will be central to normalizing relations between Syria and the U.S., and there are many other matters which are currently in play or which will come up in the ensuing years.

Joshua Bark

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Egypt to Host Mideast Quartet in November

aljoaan — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 15:24:53 +0000

Egypt will host a meeting of Middle East peace mediators in November in the resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh to try to keep peace talks moving, a spokesman for President Hosni Mubarak said on Monday. The so-called Quartet (United States, European Union, Russia and United Nations) has been trying to breathe life into the stalled peace process according to Reuters.

“Egypt will host a meeting of the international Quartet in Sharm el-Sheikh next month,” Mubarak spokesman Suleiman Awad said in remarks carried on state news agency MENA. Awad said the Quartet, in particular the European Union, needed to work to keep up momentum to ensure the quick resumption of peace talks after the formation of new Israeli and US governments.

Awad gave no details on what level the meeting would be held, nor say when exactly it would be held. Egypt is also planning to host Palestinian reconciliation talks next month. Israeli and Palestinian diplomats have been attempting to negotiate a peace deal that could be finalized before US President George W. Bush steps down in January, although both sides now doubt an agreement can be reached in this time frame.

Ahmad Aljoaan

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Russia Changes Tone

dpgallag — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 05:28:44 +0000

In a new development, Russia has stated that it would back the US keeping troops in Iraq if the currently proposed deal falls though. The Russians have inserted another specific in their statement, though, in that they would support this, if it is what the Iraqi people want. This leaves the door wide open for much speculation about what the Iraqi people do want and how much of that “voice” is in fact the US. Regardless, this is quite a change of position from Russia and its foreign policy department. Perhaps people are beginning to understand that arguments…

Dennis Gallagher

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