Struggle for Alliance: Russia and Iran in the Era of War in Ukraine

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This book provides a comprehensive study of the complex impacts of the war in Ukraine on Russo-Iranian relations, and the resulting consequences for the international relations of the Middle East. In contrast to dominant academic approaches, which view Russo-Iranian relations through the lens of an anti-hegemonic agenda and confrontation with the US-led international order, this study presents an alternative angle stating that the war in Ukraine has sped up Moscow and Tehran's interdependency, primarily because of the protective benefits that it brings to both states. The book analyzes various debates about the impact of the war on Russo-Iranian relations. From the perspective of the emerging literature on authoritarian regionalism, the book explores how domestic politics and common threat perceptions play a role in these states decisions to adjust to the systemic changes caused by the war. Chapters address how changes in the strategic environment are affecting Moscow and Tehrans perception of each other, what factors contribute the most to both states' decision to pursue greater cooperation and how they manage the new conflicts of interest raised by the war. The book also queries whether relations continue to be based on tactical partnership, or whether a stronger alliance between Moscow and Tehran is unfolding, and what the consequences of such a struggle for alliance will be for the wider region.

Author Bio

Abdolrasool Divsallar is a Visiting Professor at the Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Milan, Italy, and a senior researcher at the UN Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR). He is also a Non-Resident Scholar at the Middle East Institute in Washington D.C, USA. He co-founded and led the Regional Security Initiative at the European University Institute from 2020-22. Dr. Divsallars focus and interests include Russia-Iran relations, military strategies in the Persian Gulf, Irans military and foreign affairs, regional security reform, non-proliferation issues, and security assistance. He has written and edited eight books, including Stepping Away From the Abyss: A Gradual Approach Towards a New Security System in the Persian Gulf (2021), and has published numerous peer review journal articles.