... region of the Middle East in general.
On February 7 French television company France24 held a live debate on the issues of de-escalation is Syria.
Tony Badran, Research Fellow, Foundation for Defense of Democracies; Andrey Kortunov, Director General, Russian International Affairs Council; Joshua Landis, Director of Center for Middle East Studies, University of Oklahoma; and Ammar Abd Rabbo, Freelance Photo Journalist took part in the debate.
The topic of the discussion was the new aggravation of the ...
One of the main events of 2017 has been the victory won by the Russian armed forces and the Assad government in Syria. When Russian President Vladimir Putin decisively intervened in Syria’s bloody civil war in September 2015, many were taken completely by surprise. Western commentators and politicians ― including ...
Putin’s Syrian intervention was limited to areas around the port of Tartus and the Latakia air base, both heavily upgraded by Russia. His aim was not a full occupation, but a gradual expansion of a strategic corridor from Damascus to Aleppo. He did not fear US repercussions. Obama’s 2013 red line back-step had convinced him the president would be passive in the face of aggression....
... normalization of relations with Turkey, including the beginning of cooperation between Moscow and Ankara on the Syrian crisis, which is completely new and unexpected trend. In fact, by the end of the year, Turkey has replaced the United States as a Russian partner on the Syrian crisis settlement. A new Russia - Turkey – Iran triangle was formed.
Moreover, 2016 was a year of serious military victories. In particular, these are victories of the Syrian army with the support of Russian aerospace forces, including the ...
