Attack on Iran shows Russia losing sway in the Middle East and globally

"It's clear Russia and China were not able to do anything. This could impact Moscow's position in relation to other partners. Russian officials have also voiced growing alarm over Trump's suggestions of a friendly takeover of Cuba through economic pressure, but similarly seem to have little ability to do anything."

"The invasion of Ukraine, which has now entered its fifth year, has sapped much of Moscow's resources and attention, pushing countries once firmly in its orbit - particularly former Soviet republics in the Caucasus and Central Asia - to forge new alliances, with some turning to Turkey, China, the U.S. or the European Union."

"Russian military thinking put the focus on one big war - in this case, the war against Ukraine, which subordinated all other allies and considerations. Everything else is just collateral damage."

Russia faces significant setbacks in its network of anti-Western allies, with friendly leaders ousted in Syria, Venezuela, and Iran over approximately 15 months. Moscow's inability to prevent these developments, particularly Iran's leadership change resulting from U.S. military action, demonstrates Russia's reduced global influence. The Kremlin hopes prolonged U.S. involvement in Middle East conflicts will benefit Russia's Ukraine war efforts, its primary focus. However, the Ukraine invasion has consumed Moscow's resources and attention, causing former Soviet allies in the Caucasus and Central Asia to seek new partnerships with Turkey, China, the U.S., and the European Union. Russian military strategy concentrates on the Ukraine conflict, treating other geopolitical considerations as secondary concerns.

Read at The Washington Post