Levant .. Regional and international battlefield (4-5)

Russia came to Syria in 2015, driven by a Russian nationalist tendency to restore respect for its entity, revenge against the stage of Western weakness and contempt, and an offensive strategy aimed at imposing its prestige and regional and international role.

This strategy was to expand and develop its attack in Georgia 2008 and Ukraine 2014, for two main goals: maintaining a foothold on the shores of the Mediterranean, securing a marine services workshop in the Syrian port of Tartus, and pushing the West (the United States in particular) to change its perception of it and take its interests In consideration, by recognizing its role in drafting the international resolution and involving it in solving regional and international problems.

This prompted her to coordinate her field action with the countries of the region that could contribute to achieving her goals. So direct coordination with Iran was not only for their intersection to defend the Syrian regime, but also because it saw it as a geostrategic factor "that frustrates the United States' hegemony over the Middle East, and limits its ability to Influencing world oil and gas prices to the detriment of the Russian interest, and from its ability to allocate resources to pressure it to enter the international system it is leading, ”according to Daniel Benim and Michael Waheed Hanna.

This prompted Russia to work to strengthen the role of Iran and keep it an effective regional power to ensure that its own interests are met in the face of American pressure. A security operations room was formed jointly with Iran, Iraq, and the Syrian regime, based in Baghdad.

On the other hand, Russia has coordinated with Israel as a magical passage to the heart of the United States, and a balancing force for the Iranian role in Syria, where the intersection between them will play to curb the presence of Iran, which is an opponent with respect to Israel and a competitor - for Russia - in Syria, against the background of its pursuit of unilateralism. Syrian, and improve the image of Russian intervention in Syria with the United States.

It also invested the tension between Turkey and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) that arose from a background that prevented these countries from supporting the Turkish role in Syria, and activating Article Five of the “Alliance” system that defends any of its countries subject to direct aggression or threats; as well as doubts It was sparked by the reluctance of these countries to condemn the coup attempt in Turkey in 2016.

Russia has established with Turkey a formula for coordination and coexistence on Syrian soil (subsequently joined by Iran) within the framework of the Astana track, to enshrine Turkey's boycott with "NATO" countries and lure them to accept the Russian-Iranian position on the conflict in and on Syria.

Russia has also opened lines with Egypt through the gate of armament and joint military exercises, and the establishment of a nuclear reactor in the Dabaa region with a soft financial loan; as well as with Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar in terms of coordination in oil and gas markets and the expansion of trade relations, including the sale of advanced weapons to them.

It was also able to enter the Iraqi market again by selling weapons worth $ 4.2 billion, which began delivery in October 2013, and invest $ 10 billion in energy; and the entry of Russian companies, "Lukoil" and "Gazprom Oil", into the energy market in Iraqi Kurdistan. "By winning a number of contracts in 2012, and strengthening their relations with the Kurdistan government of Iraq by helping them overcome their financial crisis, by lending it $ 3.5 billion in oil payments to the company" Gazprom Oil ".

Then it extended its arms to Libya by feeding the retired general's successor, Khalifa Hifter, to control power, and supplying him with weapons and mercenaries from the security company "Wagner", to approach the lifeline in Europe: Libyan oil and gas, and lay on the southern shore of the Mediterranean facing southern Europe.

All of this came in implementation of the "Eurasia Project for the Middle East and North Africa" ​​adopted by Russia, and promoted as an alternative to the American role that brought havoc and instability to the countries of the region, as Moscow says.

China was not far from this Russian trend, but with a mainly political and economic approach, and a less military one. China - which sees the Middle East as a cemetery of the superpowers - does not want to get involved militarily, and the main concern of the president is to continue obtaining sufficient quantities of oil for its huge industrial machine, and this You can get it through funds and investments in development projects and infrastructure in the exporting countries.

The central goal of China in the region is to enhance its geopolitical influence, encourage countries in the region to participate in political and economic roles away from conflicts and tensions, and coordinate with them to counter terrorism and instability factors to ensure access to oil.

So her work focused on easing tensions and conflicts as a path consistent with the need for the necessary stability and security. She supported the government of Iraq in its war against the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) by exchanging information and providing the necessary training.

It also expanded military cooperation with Iran by conducting joint military exercises in the Persian Gulf in June 2017, and with Saudi Arabia in combating terrorism with joint military exercises in Chongqing, and sought to enhance cooperation with Turkey for the same goal.

In 2016, Beijing allocated $ 300 million in financial aid to the League of Arab States to enhance the ability of member states to maintain regional stability, in addition to enhancing cultural exchanges with countries in the region, and facilitating the exchange of ideas and talents.

And China has signed investment agreements with Iran worth about $ 400 billion. Iran's geographical location at the crossroads of important roads in the Middle East, South and Central Asia and Europe, and on the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz; made it of great importance to China’s vision to integrate these major areas through projects. The infrastructure and transportation designed to expand Chinese political and economic influence, as required by the Belt and Road Plan.

China made a quantum leap, in agreement with Israel, to establish investments in it: managing the Ashdod Port, and installing the fifth-generation Huawei network, against the US desire.

Beijing provided political and financial support to the Syrian regime and coordinated its political and diplomatic positions on the conflict in Syria and over it with Russia, as it used the veto several times in support of Russia's positions in the face of Western, and especially American, positions.