Civilians in Syria
Syria’s Civil War
Civilians in Syria
Advertisement
Supported by
The loss of the Syrian army bases would end the Kremlin’s attempts to focus its force in the Middle East and Africa.
By Neil MacFarquhar
For decades, Russia has been seeking to rebuild its influence in the Middle East. But after the immediate collapse of the Assad regime in Syria, the Kremlin is scrambling to salvage what it can.
President Vladimir V. Putin has tried to portray developments in Syria as 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 ten years ago to prevent the creation of a terrorist enclave there,” he said Thursday at a marathon news conference. “We met that goal, overall. “
The reality of Russia’s situation is quite different from Mr. Putin’s rosy assessment, according to military experts, political analysts and a U.S. government official. If the rebel factions that are now leading Syria decide to expel the Russian forces from the two bases, Moscow will be left without the resources or the real estate 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.
We are recovering the content of the article.
Allow JavaScript in your browser settings.
Thank you for your patience as we determine access. If you’re in Reader mode, log out and log in to your Times account or subscribe to the full Times.
Thank you for your patience as we determine access.
Already a subscriber? Log in.
Do you want all the Times? Subscribe.
Advertisement