Russia's counterweight to NATO is falling apart. Russia is losing influence in the Middle East

Russia's counterweight to NATO falling apart

 "The Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) is also falling apart. Initially founded as a counterweight to NATO, it has long been exposed as an attempted revanche to return control of former SSRs to Moscow. Uzbekistan left the alliance 12 years ago, and this year, Armenia announced its plans to leave. The loss of Armenia will force Moscow to abandon two more vital military bases and diminish its position in the South Caucasus." - Vladimir Putin Is Digging His Own Grave in Ukraine December 11, 2024

Russia losing influence in the Middle East

How Russia is losing out in the Middle East, GIS Reports, December 11, 2024, GIS Reports

Russia’s decline accelerates, thanks to Turkey and Israel in Syria,The Hill, December 10, 2024

Assad’s fall humiliated Putin and could dent his global ambitions, December 12, 2024

 "Russia is a declining power, and it will only get weaker with time." - International relations scholar John Mearsheimer.   

See also:  Will Russia become a failed state within 10 years? Is Russia currently a failed state? Will Russia eventually become a failed state?