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Join us for an engaging EMET webinar as we explore Russia’s Role in the Middle East with the esteemed Dr. Stephen Blank. In this enlightening discussion, we will delve into the current status of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and its impact on the region. Dr. Blank will shed light on how the war has influenced Russian foreign policy in Syria, Israel, and Iran. Uncover the historical development of Russia’s role in the Middle East, drawing parallels to Soviet foreign policy. Discover how the Soviet Union’s perception of Israel as a Western imperialist outpost may have shaped Russia’s current view of Israel.

We will also explore President Putin’s relationship with the Russian Jewish community and discuss the significance of Israeli relations with Azerbaijan. Additionally, we’ll examine the implications of Israel’s new embassy in Turkmenistan, situated just 20km from the Iranian border, and explore how Muslim republics beyond the Iron Curtain have a different historic perspective towards Israel due to their experiences with political Islam. Don’t miss this thought-provoking webinar that promises to unravel the complexities of Russia’s Role in the Middle East.

About the Speaker: Stephen Blank is an internationally recognized expert on Russian foreign and defense policies and international relations across the former Soviet Union. He is also a leading expert on European and Asian security, including energy issues. Since 2020 he has been a Senior Fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute www.fpri.org. In 2020-21 he also was a Senior Expert for Russia at the U.S. Institute of Peace From 2013-2020 he was a Senior Fellow at the American Foreign Policy Council, www.afpc.org From 1989-2013 he was a Professor of Russian National Security Studies at the Strategic Studies Institute of the U.S. Army War College in Pennsylvania. Dr. Blank has been Professor of National Security Affairs at the Strategic Studies Institute since 1989. In 1998-2001 he was Douglas MacArthur Professor of Research at the War College.

Dr. Blank has consulted for the CIA, major think tanks and foundations, chaired major international conferences in the USA and abroad In Florence, Prague, and London, and has been a commentator on foreign affairs in the media in the United States and abroad. He has also advised major corporations on investing in Russia and is a consultant for the Gerson Lehrmann Group. He has published over 1300 articles and monographs on Soviet/Russian, U.S., Asian, and European military and foreign policies, including publishing or editing 15 books, testified frequently before Congress on Russia, China, and Central Asia for business, government, and professional think tanks here and abroad on these issues. He has also appeared on CNN, BBC, Deutsche Welle, CNBC Asia, and is a regular guest on VOA.

Prior to his appointment at the Army War College in 1989 Dr. Blank was Associate Professor for Soviet Studies at the Center for Aerospace Doctrine, Research, and Education of Air University at Maxwell AFB. He also held the position of 1980-86: Assistant Professor of Russian History, University of ​ Texas, San Antonio, 1980-86, and Visiting Assistant Professor of Russian history, University of California, Riverside, 1979-80.

Dr. Blank’s M.A. and Ph.D. are in Russian History from the University of Chicago. His B.A is in History from the University of Pennsylvania.