A Christadelphian Video: Russia looks to Fill Middle East Power Vacuum The tragedy in Afghanistan is horrific, but a greater geopolitical move is going on behind the scenes. Russia is filling in all the cracks in the Middle East left by American withdrawal. The influence it lost when the Soviet Union collapsed has been regained, and it has military and political unions with and most of the nations standing between it and Israel. The days of Russia’s “turning back” are over, and it is beginning its advance that will lead to Armageddon.