Many articles in the Middle Eastern press have been discussing Russia’s growing influence and activities in the region, which are in direct opposition to American policy and are playing a negative role in the war on terror. To date, it is unclear what the American government is doing about it. One thing is for certain: Russia has big plans for itself in the Middle East.

Earlier this week, an unnamed Russian Defense Ministry official was quoted by Itar-Tass detailing Russian contracts of anti-aircraft weapon systems to Syria and Iran — worth more than $1.3 billion — are being filled on schedule. This follows Russia’s continual support of Iran’s nuclear program, in addition to its activities last summer instigating havoc in Lebanon, such as reportedly allowing Syria to pass Russian-made rockets to Hezbollah.

Leaders of Hamas, Egypt, Syria, and others have been establishing warm relations with Russia during recent visits to Moscow. President Putin plans to reciprocate with a trip to Qatar, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia next month to sign lucrative “deals.”

The November 2 issue of the Lebanese Daily Star noted that a visit to Moscow by President Mubarak of Egypt in November — to increase defense ties and sign large arms deals — was intended to make a point to America. An American expert on military studies at the Al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies, Mohammed Kadry Saeed, was quoted as saying that “this is a message to the American Congress” and that “the statements coming out of Russia regarding elevated military cooperation are a new development.” Hanna Ebeid from the International Relations Unit of Al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies added that Russia could emerge as a “counterbalance” in the region.

The Arab and Iranian press have been rooting for the return and rise of Russia in the Middle East.

“Russia Stages a Comeback Through Syria” was the title of an article in the Daily Star of August 28, which reported, “The year 2006 has become the year of the Middle East for the Russian leadership. First was the controversial visit by a Hamas delegation to Moscow. … In the early summer, reports surfaced that Russia was engaged in modernizing facilities in the Syrian ports. … Then came the crisis in Lebanon. … The Russians have taken it upon themselves to be the international advocates for the Lebanese and Syrian governments. … It is now beyond reasonable doubt that the Kremlin has decided to take Syria under its wing and use it to stage a ‘comeback’ to Middle East politics.”

The article explained what was influencing Moscow’s activities: “The rationale for Russia’s new course in the Middle East lies in the same motivation that drives Moscow ‘s foreign policy as a whole: primarily, deep dislike of the United States combined with a desire to at least partly avenge Russia’s defeat in the Cold War. … The idea that U.S. influence has to be curbed as much as possible and wherever possible is very popular among influential people in Putin’s administration.”

An editorial titled “Moscow Maneuvering to Regain Former Status” in the December 21 issue of the Tehran Times discussed the hopes of Russia restoring “the international status Moscow enjoyed during the Cold War” and added, “Amid tensions in the Middle East, Russia is trying to regain its former role in the region. … The main goal of these activities is restoring Russia’s international status, which was greatly diminished after the collapse of the Soviet Union. … If Moscow can pull that off, Russia can establish a balance of power in the strategic Middle East region to counter U.S. influence.”

The Syrian government-controlled Teshreen on December 20 included an article titled “The Russia Role” which stated: “Russia has started to restore its central and important role on the international scene in general and on the Middle Eastern scene in particular.” According to the article, Russia “is on the rise.”

A very troubling sign of things to come is that Russia’s stated foreign policy being driven by its “deep dislike of the U.S.” is being applauded by state-sponsored terrorist regimes in Iran and Syria and by allies such as Egypt and Saudi Arabia.

Mr. Stalinsky is the executive director of the Middle East Media Research Institute.