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Why Isn’t Russia Defending Iran? Backing the most anti-Western Middle Eastern power was convenient until it wasn’t.
The Atlantic ^ | June 18, 2025 | Hanna Notte

Posted on 06/18/2025 8:20:12 AM PDT by Miami Rebel

Iran is suffering blow after blow, and Russia, its most powerful supporter, is apparently not prepared to do much of anything about it.

Not long ago, backing the West’s least-favorite power in the Middle East had its uses. In prosecuting his war of attrition in Ukraine, Vladimir Putin has made confrontation with the West the organizing principle of his foreign policy. In that context, edging closer to Iran and its partners in the “Axis of Resistance” made sense.

...........

A defenseless Iran will not respond well to Russian sticks, and in any case, Moscow is unlikely to take a punitive approach to Tehran. Russia may not have shown up as Iran’s knight in shining armor, but the two countries are still partners, and they are fundamentally united in an anti-Western agenda. Russia also has few meaningful carrots to offer Iran at this point and will be cautious about providing military equipment in a moment when Israel is systematically destroying it. And Putin is not someone who likes to openly side with what appears to be the losing party.

.........

Strategically isolated and acutely vulnerable, Iran will be even more distrustful of the United States than it was before Israel’s attack, and it will want Russia involved for at least the appearance of balance. But Russia has little influence over the outcome of the war, Iran’s next steps, or Washington’s decision as to whether it will engage militarily.

When it comes to shaping events far from Russia’s borders, Moscow is only so interested and only so able, particularly given its deep investment in the war in Ukraine. Having anti-Western partners in the Middle East serves its purpose. But no one should hold their breath waiting for Russia to come to the rescue of Iran.

(Excerpt) Read more at theatlantic.com ...


TOPICS: Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: anothersuccessstory; iran; iranfafo; mullahloversonfr; papertiger; russia; russiansuicide; toiletpapertiger; vladtheimploder; yeahbutbrics
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To: NorthMountain
If we hadn't fomented an illegal coup in Ukraine, installed a government hostile to both Russia and ethnic Russian population, one that threatened Russia's naval base in Crimea, and setoff a civil war that led to the present war, Russia wouldn't have been compelled to invade.

Zeeptards like you are both liars and brainless.

41 posted on 06/18/2025 9:17:34 AM PDT by Kazan
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To: rrrod

Russia and England both invaded Iran in WW2. Together, they installed the Shah and his family.

Trump seems sensitive to Russia’s paranoia.

Iran was seen as no threat (ever) by the Russians.

Installing an overtly pro-western Iranian govt would be viewed as a threat and a “hemming-in” by the Russians.

I think I will rely on Trump and his administration to thread this needle.


42 posted on 06/18/2025 9:17:55 AM PDT by steve in DC
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To: Telepathic Intruder

“I would rather that Russia be allies with the U.S. again now that they’re no longer communists, since Russia does in fact have some western roots and traditions.”

and apparently large reserves of rare earth metal ores, which COULD be used by an ally to break the chinese monopoly on same ...


43 posted on 06/18/2025 9:19:06 AM PDT by catnipman ((A Vote For The Lesser Of Two Evils Still Counts As A Vote For Evil))
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To: Miami Rebel

It would take a hook in the jaw to turn Russia’s head from Ukraine.


44 posted on 06/18/2025 9:19:59 AM PDT by fso301
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To: woodbutcher1963

“All China cares about is will the oil keep flowing.”

Defeating the US isn’t on their list? Perhaps they have other plans.


45 posted on 06/18/2025 9:51:59 AM PDT by alternatives?
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To: Miami Rebel

Poor Hanna Notte. She wrote an article which is three years too late.


46 posted on 06/18/2025 9:53:22 AM PDT by EQAndyBuzz (TDS much?)
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To: Miami Rebel

Russia isn’t Iran’s lap dog. They don’t jump when Iran tells them too.


47 posted on 06/18/2025 9:55:53 AM PDT by Chipper
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To: Kazan
If we

"We"??? In your case, that means "Russia".

48 posted on 06/18/2025 10:00:29 AM PDT by NorthMountain (... the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed)
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To: alternatives?

Short term goals for China are different than LONG term goals for China.


49 posted on 06/18/2025 10:07:05 AM PDT by woodbutcher1963
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To: Tell It Right
IMHO, the number one Middle Eastern friend for Russia is Turkey. A pipeline through Turkey could supply natural gas to Europe from Israel, etc. As long as Turkey doesn't allow that, Russia has huge control over Europe.

No, Turkey WANTS pipelines to Qatar's (and Iran's) gas, and was a partner in the proposed Qatar-Turkey pipeline. The proposed path was through Syria. Assad, at Putin's "request" blocked the deal. Iran's exports have been similarly limited. There is a pipeline from Iran to Turkey but it is only for a small fraction of Turkey's domestic use. And Turkey has built pipelines to Baku. If Iran and/or Qatar agree to build pipelines through Turkey, they could completely displace Russian gas in the European market. It would bring significant profit in transit fees as well as influence in both the Middle East and Europe. Oil pipelines too. That is what Turkey wants. It might even give them the leverage they need to get into the EU.

Iran has massive gas reserves, yet exports very little. If Russia no longer holds them back from the European market, their economy could boom

50 posted on 06/18/2025 10:11:59 AM PDT by ETCM (“There is no security, no safety, in the appeasement of evil.” — Ronald Reagan)
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To: Chipper

No, Russia is CHINA’s lapdog: Iran is Russia’s.


51 posted on 06/18/2025 10:25:25 AM PDT by Miami Rebel
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To: fruser1
It’s sorta busy invading Ukraine.

A lot of freepers make it sound like Ukraine invaded Russia.
52 posted on 06/18/2025 10:32:37 AM PDT by Reynoldo (BurnLootMurder)
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To: Miami Rebel

Russia and Iran had a relationship of convenience, which are never permanent relationships ever.


53 posted on 06/18/2025 11:54:12 AM PDT by mass55th (“Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway.” ― John Wayne)
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To: Miami Rebel

Israel demolished the drone factory, so no more Iranian drones for Putrid Putin. Result, he kicked the Ayatollahs to the curb. Putrid did not lift a finger to help Iran as Israel was bombing it w impunity.

Perhaps in his heart, Putin favors the Jews over the Muslims.


54 posted on 06/18/2025 12:00:45 PM PDT by dennisw (💯🇺🇸 Truth is Hate to those who Hate the Truth. 🇺🇸💯)
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To: Reynoldo

“A lot of freepers make it sound like Ukraine invaded Russia.”

Every day in every way. Putin is their anti-GloboHomo stalwart.


55 posted on 06/18/2025 12:03:27 PM PDT by dennisw (💯🇺🇸 Truth is Hate to those who Hate the Truth. 🇺🇸💯)
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To: Miami Rebel

Russia is occupied elsewhere.

My guess is that Putin is seeing the benefits of getting closer to Trump, who may be making him good offers that he cannot refuse.


56 posted on 06/18/2025 12:15:28 PM PDT by Socon-Econ (adi)
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To: Miami Rebel

Point missed...


57 posted on 06/18/2025 1:06:06 PM PDT by Chipper
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