TOPIC SPONSOR: EUCOM - Russia Strategic Initiative
What is Russia's relationship with Iran? What does the Kremlin perceive as challenges or opportunities with this relationship?
- Abravanel, Maj. Ran, "The Three-Dimensional Conflict: Understanding Russia's International Alignments," ACSC elective paper (The Russian Mind), 2023, 12 pgs.
- Asisian, Njdeh, "Iran, China and the Future World Order: Unipolarity or Multipolarity?" published as an AU Press Kenney Paper on Indo-Pacific Security Studies, 2022, 48 pgs.
- Evans, Capt. Stephanie, "Exploiting the Alliance: Identifying Methods for the U.S. to Counteract the Advantages of the Russia-Iran International Partnership," AFGC thesis, 2025, 37 pgs.
- Evans explains that despite a long history of mutual distrust, Russia and Iran have formed a powerful strategic alliance across Diplomatic, Information, Military, and Economic (DIME) domains to counter Western sanctions and project power in Eastern Europe and the Middle East. The Kremlin perceives significant opportunities in this relationship, particularly by importing vital Iranian military equipment (such as UAVs and artillery) to sustain its war in Ukraine, and by collaborating on oil exports to boost its isolated economy. However, the Kremlin faces challenges because Russia's desire to act as a regional peacekeeper and its relationship with Israel directly conflict with Iran's goal of achieving Shia dominance in the Middle East, creating an underlying fragility in their alliance.
- Hayworth, Dr. Jordan R., ed. "Operation Inherent Resolve: Insights and Perspectives from Air University," Published by AU Press, 2023, 332 pgs.