Strategic Assessment

Russia is gradually regaining its status as a superpower in the production and export of security equipment and now offers advanced weapons that are competitive with Western products. Aside from revenue, this status provides Russia with an important tool for gaining regional influence. Security and technological exports serve as leverage towards attaining political-strategic goals and are used as a branch of foreign policy. At the same time, this trend reflects Russia’s limitation in promoting its goals using the economic tools that are generally accepted between influential international players. The article reviews Russia’s arms exports to the Middle East in recent years, along with its use of these exports to promote Russia’s political and strategic goals.