Al Jazeera Centre for Studies (AJCS) was represented by its senior researcher, Dr. Fatima Alsmadi, a workshop on Russian-Iranian relations held in Ankara on 7 October 2017 with the participation of a number of experts, politicians, analysts and professionals.
Organised by the Center for Iranian Studies (IRAM) and Harmoon Center for Contemporary Studies, the workshop aimed to explore the nature of relations between Russia and Iran and their respective influence on the crisis in Syria.
Dr. Alsmadi’s presentation shed light on the historical milestones and the timeline of both the countries’ bilateral relations, which have been mostly shrouded in hostility and mistrust.
Dr. Alsmadi also explained the changes in the bilateral relations over the past few years, namely amplified cooperation and coordination in a number of dossiers, including the war in Syria and Iran’s nuclear programme.
In her presentation, Dr. Alsmadi concluded that any political détente in the crisis in Syria means alienation between Russia and Iran, citing the difference between Iran’s strategies in Syria and those of Russia as the reason. Furthermore, she maintained that any strategic alliance between the two countries, in the political sense, is destined to face geopolitical hurdles, economic and political obstacles, and a historical legacy of mistrust.