Bangladesh, July 8 -- Anna Borshchevskaya, a senior fellow at The Washington Institute for Near East Policy, spoke to Middle East Forum Radio host Gregg Roman on June 24 about Russia's military activity in the Eastern Mediterranean and why it is a priority for Russia as it seeks further expansion.

According to Borshchevskaya, Russia's military intervention in Syria has been a "springboard" for Russia's further expansion in the Eastern Mediterranean, especially its deepening involvement in the Libyan conflict. Both are components of a strategy enabling Russia to access the Eastern Mediterranean and check NATO's southern flank.

Libya is an attractive venue for Russia's "long game" to outmaneuver the U.S. and Western allies for several rea...