During the last eight years, Russia’s relations with the Gulf Cooperation Council have developed along a largely positive trajectory. This trend was determined by a complex mixture of factors that include the growing intensity of Moscow’s presence in the region; the changing dynamics in US relations with Russia and the GCC; the evolution of energy markets; as well as by the ongoing transformation of GCC foreign policy. During the event, we will examine the current drivers of the dialogue between the GCC members and Moscow, including the ability of both sides to raise these relations to a new, qualitative level.

Nikolay Kozhanov is a Research Associate Professor at the Gulf Studies Center of Qatar University and Consulting Fellow at the Russia and Eurasia Programme of Chatham House. His research interests are focused on the geopolitics of the Persian Gulf energy, Russian foreign policy in the Middle East as well as Iran’s economy and international relations.

To attend, please email: resc-webinar@sant.ox.ac.uk