# Why do many Muslims consider Russia their friend?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-many-muslims-consider-russia-their-friend/647031>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [January 13, 2013, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-many-muslims-consider-russia-their-friend/647031 "2013-01-13T04:12:13Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![CCitizen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4af34b/32.png) [@CCitizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CCitizen)\
**Post date:** [January 13, 2013, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-many-muslims-consider-russia-their-friend/647031/21 "2013-01-13T22:21:18Z")

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> [@Tamerlane](#):
>
> In Iran? Realpolitik.
> 
> Also the Iranian government doesn’t particularly like Sunni jihadis anymore than Russia does.
> 
> That said, I sincerely doubt Russia is much beloved. Rather its an “alliance” of convenience.

I guess that is the main case. Another issue is that after Afghanistan 1979-'89 these states are afraid of Russia.

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**Author:** ![CCitizen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4af34b/32.png) [@CCitizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CCitizen)\
**Post date:** [January 13, 2013, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-many-muslims-consider-russia-their-friend/647031/22 "2013-01-13T22:25:06Z")

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> [@Jophiel](#):
>
> Are we talking about the Iranian government or the people? From what I understand, there’s a significant [pro-Western](http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/30/AR2008053002567.html?hpid=opinionsbox1) [culture streak](http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/21/opinion/kristof-in-iran-they-want-fun-fun-fun.html?_r=0) in the population even if the government doesn’t reflect it.

Perhaps many Iranians understand that their government has allies which are worse then enemies.

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**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\
**Post date:** [January 14, 2013, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-many-muslims-consider-russia-their-friend/647031/23 "2013-01-14T03:09:22Z")

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> [@Jophiel](#):
>
> Are we talking about the Iranian government or the people? From what I understand, there’s a significant [pro-Western](http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/30/AR2008053002567.html?hpid=opinionsbox1) [culture streak](http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/21/opinion/kristof-in-iran-they-want-fun-fun-fun.html?_r=0) in the population even if the government doesn’t reflect it.

Rather a lot of wishful thinking, from what I have seen.

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