With the Kremlin sending dozens of fighter aircraft and hundreds of troops to aid the survival of Syrian President Bashar Al Assad, the conflict in the Middle East nation has acquired a new dimension. Assad’s regime has survived war, chaos and uncertainty thanks to Russian support and backing by Iran’s militias. The embattled president was seen in public yesterday after a considerable amount of time. He led Eid Al Adha prayers at a mosque in Damascus. Assad said that Syria hasn’t seen the joy of Eid for more than four years and hoped that safety and stability will return to the country. He should know that the nation is suffering because of him. If he goes, safety and stability will indeed be restored there.
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s military support to the Syrian regime has come about at a time when the West’s strategy against Assad seems to be faltering. In a masterstroke, the wily Putin has decided to throw the military might of his nation behind a shaky regime in an attempt to extend the Russian strategic footprint to the region. Countries in the Gulf and the larger Middle East have been traditional US allies much to the chagrin of the Kremlin.
To an extent, the situation in Syria after the entry of Russian weapons and troops mirrors that of Ukraine. Putin first annexed Crimea, a part of Ukraine, and has been supporting the insurgency in the east of the country by arming rebels and sending troops.
Putin’s game in Syria has roiled the waters in the region and forced Israel and other opponents of Assad to show their displeasure to Moscow. With a coalition led by America attacking Islamic State positions, the risk of confrontation between US and Russia inside Syria has increased. Washington and Moscow have recently been worried about the possibility and are trying to work a way out.
Israel has been worried for the same reasons and has formed a coordination team with Russia to prevent an unwanted clash.
What is Moscow up to in Syria? Putin has recently said that Russia’s main goal is to protect the Syrian state. He may be known for his strategic sense but Putin cannot be called far-sighted in providing military muscle to the Damascus regime. Instead of caring about the welfare of his people and improving a flailing economy, the Russian strongman is going for military misadventures in another country. Lashed by western sanctions, the Russian currency has lost a chunk of its value, employment is suffering and so are Russians.
By supporting Assad, Putin may be protecting one of his own ilk — one authoritarian ruler shielding a dictator. But the Russian leader should realise that he is earning the wrath of the international community because of his actions in Syria, and it may not be worth it.
With the Kremlin sending dozens of fighter aircraft and hundreds of troops to aid the survival of Syrian President Bashar Al Assad, the conflict in the Middle East nation has acquired a new dimension. Assad’s regime has survived war, chaos and uncertainty thanks to Russian support and backing by Iran’s militias. The embattled president was seen in public yesterday after a considerable amount of time. He led Eid Al Adha prayers at a mosque in Damascus. Assad said that Syria hasn’t seen the joy of Eid for more than four years and hoped that safety and stability will return to the country. He should know that the nation is suffering because of him. If he goes, safety and stability will indeed be restored there.
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s military support to the Syrian regime has come about at a time when the West’s strategy against Assad seems to be faltering. In a masterstroke, the wily Putin has decided to throw the military might of his nation behind a shaky regime in an attempt to extend the Russian strategic footprint to the region. Countries in the Gulf and the larger Middle East have been traditional US allies much to the chagrin of the Kremlin.
To an extent, the situation in Syria after the entry of Russian weapons and troops mirrors that of Ukraine. Putin first annexed Crimea, a part of Ukraine, and has been supporting the insurgency in the east of the country by arming rebels and sending troops.
Putin’s game in Syria has roiled the waters in the region and forced Israel and other opponents of Assad to show their displeasure to Moscow. With a coalition led by America attacking Islamic State positions, the risk of confrontation between US and Russia inside Syria has increased. Washington and Moscow have recently been worried about the possibility and are trying to work a way out.
Israel has been worried for the same reasons and has formed a coordination team with Russia to prevent an unwanted clash.
What is Moscow up to in Syria? Putin has recently said that Russia’s main goal is to protect the Syrian state. He may be known for his strategic sense but Putin cannot be called far-sighted in providing military muscle to the Damascus regime. Instead of caring about the welfare of his people and improving a flailing economy, the Russian strongman is going for military misadventures in another country. Lashed by western sanctions, the Russian currency has lost a chunk of its value, employment is suffering and so are Russians.
By supporting Assad, Putin may be protecting one of his own ilk — one authoritarian ruler shielding a dictator. But the Russian leader should realise that he is earning the wrath of the international community because of his actions in Syria, and it may not be worth it.
