In 2015, Russia intervened in the Syrian civil war and saved Bashar al-Assad’s regime with brutal area bombings. This time there was no widespread support, apart from some air strikes on the advancing rebel groups. It is suspected that the Kremlin was simply no longer able to provide sufficient resources due to the war in Ukraine and hybrid warfare against NATO. One thing is clear: Assad’s fall is shaking Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin’s credibility among his allies.
According to a situation assessment by the US Institute for War Studies (ISW), Putin protected and undermined authoritarian rulers in several countries from protests against their rule to further his goal of a multipolar world order with the help of foreign partners. of the US. “Russia’s inability or deliberate failure to strengthen the Assad regime, despite the rapid advance of opposition forces across the country, will also damage Russia’s credibility as a reliable and effective security partner around the world,” the analysis said. “This in turn will have negative consequences for Putin’s ability to gain global support for his desired goal: a multipolar world order.”
Assad himself – who, according to the Kremlin statement, claims that Russia “granted asylum on humanitarian grounds” after fleeing Syria – may have survived, the ISW notes. However, Moscow has not achieved its real goal of preventing Assad’s loss of power. It is also questionable to what extent Russia can now maintain its strategically important military presence in the region.
According to ISW, Russian influence in favor of Assad since 2015 is likely to make it extremely difficult for the Russians to build a good relationship with the strengthened opposition forces in the country. According to Moscow, at least an agreement could be reached with unspecified opposition forces that would guarantee the security of Russian bases in the country.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
