... United States. Chronic instability seems to have become the new Syrian norm. Getting used to this uncertain reality is perceived by many inside and outside Syria as something inevitable that will have to continue.
Whatever the security threats, the Syrian authorities, backed by Russia and Iran, are generally in control of the domestic political situation. Above all, real challenges to the regime’s foundations lie in the economy, which is sinking ever faster into a deep hole. The strangling effect of Western sanctions is on a rising trajectory....
... attacked and terrorists tried to help several thousand prisoners suspected of having links with ISIS escape from prison.
Some regional players, as well as extra-regional powers, negatively view Turkey’s plans for conducting a military operation in Syria. In July of 2022, Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei warned Recep Erdogan against an attack on Syria, as it would harm not only Syria, but also Turkey, in addition to other countries in the region. Given that Washington considers the SDF as instrumental in the fight against ...
... atmosphere of over-compliance that also affected donor governments, businesses and NGOs, causing many of them to shun even small projects. Some Gulf Arab states have signaled that they might be willing to support reconstruction, perhaps hoping to get Syria out of Iran’s orbit. But for now, they are hesitant to take the risk. For the same reason, Damascus’ other allies—Russia and Iran—which, however, have already done a lot to preserve the Syrian statehood, are constrained. Despite proposals to adjust and ...
... in resolving the Syrian crisis. Economic reintegration may prove to be a catalyst for the peace process. This working paper presents a political economy model for the settlement of the situation in Syria. The author explores the positions of Russia, Iran and China in Syria and their points of interaction. Possible scenarios for the development of the situation in Syria are analysed in detail, as are the modalities of the impact of the Ukraine crisis on the configuration of external actors of the Syrian conflict.
Settling ...
Diverging views of Russia and Iran on Syria are unlikely to cause a true breakdown of their tactical partnership
Russia’s ongoing special military operation in Ukraine has sparked broad and intensive debates about future modalities of the relations between Russia and Iran in Syria.
...
... sixth round of the project “A New Agenda for Russia–UK Relations”
On October 27, 2021, the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC) with the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) held a closed workshop on approaches of Russia and the UK in Iran and Syria. The workshop was organized within the framework of the sixth round of the project “A New Agenda for Russia–UK Relations”.
The goals of the meeting were to discuss the interests of Russia and UK in the Middle East, and to search for convergence ...
... to strike a fair balance and/or employ other means to this end.
Andrey Kortunov:
Meeting Security Challenges in the Gulf: Ideal Solutions and Practical Steps
Iran: Recalibrating Russia’s Balancing Act
First and foremost, the strategic dilemma with Iran in Syria must be publicly clarified at the elite and civil society levels. Secondly, Russia has to re-engage Iran more enthusiastically than ever before, with or without the removal of U.S. sanctions. It also must bring India on board as well, taking advantage ...
... solution.
Elsewhere in the Levant, the so-called Kurdish question remains acute. Turkey is
absolutely against
the Kurds having any sort of autonomy in Syria, which could prove problematic for the larger compromise that Russia wants to broker between it, Syria, Iran and the U.S. there. One way or another, all of their interests must be respected. A possible outcome could be Damascus restoring sovereignty over its Northern border region in exchange for Kurdish demilitarization coupled with a broad political and,...
... Iraq, etc.) who feel threatened by increased Iranian military presence in Syria. Therefore, the Syrian profile is largely viewed in the context of US policies towards Iran, Russia and Turkey, rather than as a separate foreign policy concern.
Russia and Iran in Syria and Beyond: Challenges Ahead. RIAC and the Institute for Iran-Eurasia Studies Working Paper
Interestingly, though, the new Administration refused to send its representative to the 15th round of the Astana Syria talks held in Sochi on Feb. 16–17,...
... Both Russia and the Islamic Republic of Iran regard each other as necessary components of the regional architecture that they envision for the Middle East. The paper attempts to shed light on the views of Moscow and Tehran on these issues.
Russia and Iran in Syria and Beyond: Challenges Ahead
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