By Stephanie Balepogi
What is going on?
Russia has decided to intervene in Syria.
Where does Russia stand ?
Russia is one of the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s most important international backers and the survival of the regime is critical to maintaining Russian interests in the country. The Russian government has continued to supply weapons to the Syrian military and blocked UN Security Council resolutions that criticize Assadl. Moscow is keen ito protect a key naval facility which it leases at the Syrian port of Tartous to serve as Russia’s sole Mediterranean base for its Black Sea fleet. In September Russia began launching airstrikes in Syria, which Moscow claimed would target ISIS strongholds. However, reports indicate that the Russian strikes have primarily targeted non-ISIS rebels and have killed a number of civilians as well.
Where does the U.S. stand ?
According to BBC News, the U.S. agrees on the need for a negotiated settlement to end the war and the formation of transitional administration. It supports the Syrian National Coalition, Syria’s main opposition alliance, and provides limited military assistance to moderate rebels, Since September of 2014, the U.S. has conducted air strikes on jihadist groups in Syria, ISIS among many, but has avoided “attacks that may benefit Assad’s forces or intervening in battles between them and the rebels.”
Where does France stand ?
France opposesany role for Assad in a transitional period. According to the French president himself, “ [Assad] cannot be part of the solution.” On October 9th, according to the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the French government has been avidly calling for the “immediate release” of Syrian attorneys and human right defenders who were arrested by the authorities of the Syrian regime more than three years ago.
Why is Russia intervening in Syria?
Russia’s presence is Syria is more about an attempt to maintain the little strategic advantage they have left. They are more than aware of Assad’s ever shrinking sphere of influence. Vice News claims that the escalation of military involvement becomes less about the projection of force within Syria than the ability to secure their position both domestically and internationally, should an agreement ever be reached to remove Assad from power.
Yes. In terms of defeating the Islamic State, they share the same goal as that of the United States and other countries. But their manner in reaching this objective differs, and this is where the real diplomatic tension lies. According to the State Department spokesman Mark Toner, Russia believes Assad is a reliable ally in fighting ISIS. To defeat ISIS, Russians believe their support for the Assad regime is the only legitimate power that can fight the forces of extremism found in Syria. The United States, on the other hand, rejects Russia’s belief in a possible salient political resolution in Syria.
Featured Image copyright: The Weekly Bull, CC Flickr. License can be found here.
