Evolution of the Syrian Military: Main Trends and Challenges

... in its talks with the West and GCC states to eventually attract their money into Syria. Yuri Barmin: Russia and Israel: The Middle Eastern Vector of Relations Third, in the course of its involvement in Syria Russia planned to reorganize the Syrian army ... ... to make it more professional and autonomous. Since 2015 Moscow has been trying to minimize the influence of various non-state armed groups and militias fighting for the government, as quite often their own interests did dominate over that of the country....