Transactional Alliances: The Impact of the Ukraine War on the Middle East

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has had a significant impact on geopolitics in the Middle East, challenging established alliances and creating new partnerships. The diminishing importance of the Middle East for the United States (US), and Russia’s focus on its expanded war in Ukraine have opened up spaces for other regional actors to gain power, such as Saudi Arabia, Iran and Turkey. Seizing the opportunity to challenge the established US presence in the Middle East and secure its own economic interests, China has taken on a more active diplomatic role. Such transactional politics are redefining the global order.