The Kremlin’s Short-Term Gains Are Russia’s Long-Term Losses

Stability throughout the Middle East should matter more to Russia than the United States, argues writer Yuri Mamchur. But while the US cheered democratic aspirations and greater freedoms promised by the Arab Spring, Russia remained mute. “The dearth of official Russian involvement in the Arab Spring demonstrates the country’s fading influence in the world, at least the type of influence needed to carry out international intelligence operations and foresee long-term geopolitical effects,” Mamchur contends in bitterlemons, an online publication. The opinion essay suggests that Russia’s current foreign policy agenda is largely organized around promoting high oil prices and catering to the short-term interests of leaders Vladimir Putin and Dmitry Medvedev. Mamchur maintains that Russia’s dependence on oil revenues and insular policies may ensure stability for the short term, but will obstruct innovation and beneficial regional connections over the long term. – YaleGlobal