The West and Russia in the Mediterranean : towards a renewed rivalry?

Abstract

While Russia during the Yeltsin period was largely relegated to a spectator role in the Mediterranean, under Vladimir Putin it has emerged as an increasingly significant player in the region. In particular in the energy and military sectors, Russia has shown a renewed interest in the Mediterranean and also stepped up its efforts to establish closer relationships with the countries of the southern shores of the Mediterranean sea. This in turn has been of considerable concern to Western, and in particular European, countries, which at least to some extent have seen Russia’s growing activism in the Mediterranean as a challenge to their interests. As a result, there now appears to be a renewed rivalry between Western countries and Russia in the region – rivalry predominantly over oil and gas supplies, as well as military cooperation, in particular arms sales, with the countries south of the Mediterranean. This renewed, but transformed, geopolitical contest between East and West seems to have been, at least to some extent, an empowering development for the countries along the southern rim of the Mediterranean, enhancing their leverage both vis-a`-vis Western countries and Russia.