Russia is quietly reconsolidating influence in Syria. The fall of Moscow-backed Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad almost a year ago ushered in a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reshape the balance of power in the Middle East in favor of the US. This window may be closing. Failure to counter Russia in Syria will cost the West globally. This month, Vladimir Putin hosted Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa for the first time since the fall of Assad. Al-Sharaa seeks to “redefine” relations with Moscow. For Russia, Syria is important because of its strategic location on the Eastern Mediterranean. It allows power projection into the Middle East, Africa, NATO’s southern flank, along with all of southern Europe. With Russia’s war raging in Ukraine, access to the Eastern Mediterranean is a crucial logistics route.
The Window to Counter Russia in Syria Is Closing | The Washington Institute
