Syria’s Civil War
Civilians in Syria
Civilians in Syria
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Losing Syrian military bases would hurt the Kremlin’s attempts to project power in the Middle East and Africa.
By Neil MacFarquhar
For decades, Russia has been trying to rebuild its influence in the Middle East. But after the rapid collapse of the Assad regime in Syria, the Kremlin is scrambling to salvage whatever it can.
President Vladimir V. Putin has tried to describe developments in Syria as a good fortune for Russia, which provided critical military aid to President Bashar al-Assad during the country’s long and brutal civil war and won two military bases in the past. vital.
“We came to Syria 10 years ago to prevent the creation of a terrorist enclave there,” he told a marathon news conference on Thursday. “We have achieved that goal, by and large.”
The truth of the scenario in Russia is very different from Putin’s positive assessment, according to military experts, political analysts and a US government official. If the insurgent factions that ultimately rule Syria expel Russian forces from the two bases, Moscow will be left without the resources and territory necessary to maintain a significant military presence in the region, they said.
A veteran Russian military analyst, speaking anonymously out of fear for the protection of his relatives still in Russia, called Moscow’s existing maneuvers a “diplomatic dance” that corresponded to reality.
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