Publication

The commentary discusses Russia’s anxieties about the Arab revolutions. The author argues that Russia views the trend of disconnected but increasingly violent civil wars in the region with mounting anxiety. He notes that the revolutions pose three serious challenges or even threats to Russia. First, the revolutions could inspire the domestic public to take autonomous political action against the regime or more importantly, further inflame the insurgency in the North Caucasus. Russia further fears that the Arab revolutions will spread to Central Asia. Lastly, the Libyan NATO operation might put Russian interests in the region at risk.