http://www.almotamar.net صحيفة إلكترونية يومية تصدر عن حزب المؤتمر الشعبي العام (اليمن) http://www.almotamar.net/2013.htm 2007-02-14 Iran’s influence in the Middle East is being strengthened not only because of the opportunities created by the frustration of US power in Iraq, but because of the diplomatic protection it has been receiving from China, and most importantly, from Russia. With President Putin now on a Middle East tour to flex Russia’s diplomatic muscles in the region, now is a good moment to assess his country’s influence in the region.