Columnist

Maria Dubovikova
Maria Dubovikova is a prominent political commentator, researcher and expert on Middle East affairs. She is president of the Moscow-based International Middle Eastern Studies Club (IMESClub).
Twitter: @politblogme
Latest published
Turkey won’t give up Russia ties to make up with US
Turkey, being sandwiched between the US and Russia, is in quite a complicated situation that, on the one hand, greatly troubles its foreign policy, but on the other gives it a chance to profit from the rivalry between Washington and Moscow.
Trump swims against Western tide at summit with Putin
After three decades during which the international community has been governed by the consequences of the fall of the Soviet Union and the end of half a century of global conflict between the communist and capitalist camps, it seems a new world order is emerging.
Chances of a US-Russia confrontation set for a significant increase
The recent series of firings and appointments in the American administration have come quicker than expected.
Competing powers unable to find a cure for ‘sick man’
The paradoxes between the strategic priorities of global and regional powers are an inherent trait of Middle Eastern conflicts. This was clear when Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Abadi said last month: “The priorities of Western countries are contrary to those of the countries of the region.
Major powers step up battle for Africa
Rex Tillerson’s final overseas visit before Donald Trump fired him as US Secretary of State was to Africa, where many global and regional powers are coming into direct competition. Tillerson’s trip came within the framework of the American administration’s bid to secure its influence in Africa fo
Machiavellian tactics undermining hopes of peace in Syria
The situation in Syria is heating up, as the international powers play an expanding geopolitical game on the Syrian chessboard. The sequence and timings of recent events raise many questions.
Putin ready to lead Russia into new era
Vladimir Putin has given his annual speech to the Federation Council, surprisingly arranging it not in the Kremlin but at Moscow’s Central Exhibition Hall. In his speech, he addressed numerous vital aspects of life in Russia, setting the goals and priorities for the upcoming years.
Middle Eastern players all talking but none are listening
The Valdai Discussion Club — the main expert discussion platform in Russia — last week held its annual conference on the Middle East. It was the most representative Middle Eastern Valdai in history, as it was attended by two foreign ministers (Russia’s Sergey Lavrov and Iran’s Javad Zarif), the d