Since Vladimir Putin came to power in 2000, Moscow has made significant efforts to strengthen its positions in the Middle East; following its open intervention in the Syrian war from 2015 onward, it gained substantial local influence and prestige. Later, by exploiting the Libyan civil war, Russia secured footholds in the North African country, and through the so-called Astana process—by sitting at the negotiating table with Iran and NATO member Turkey—it exerted considerable influence over the course of the Syrian civil war. All this was achieved while maintaining fundamentally good relations with Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt—countries closely aligned with the United States.
