... “healthy” opposition forces and squeezing out the radicals afterwards. The question is, however, where they will go. Leaving Syria through Turkey is an unacceptable option for the Turks and many other actors. It is another thing if they end up in prison in Turkey or Idlib itself. There are other options too, but the crux of the matter remains the same. In other words, Russia gives the initiative to Turkey and what will be going on in Idlib until December 2018 is at Ankara’s discretion. The results will largely ...
... Website Editor Maria Smekalova asks Joost Hiltermann, International Crisis Group’s Program Director for MENA, the difficult questions on risks related to the situation in Syria.
Youtube / Guerre & Po
Joost Hiltermann
How would you evaluate Russia – Turkey agreement on Idlib?
First of all, I think it’s really important that a deal was reached between Mr. Putin and Mr. Erdogan. If that hadn’t happened, I think, the offensive would have proceeded taking a huge humanitarian toll. Whatever the reason for the offensive,...
... Council.
On September 10, 2018, Hüseyin Diriöz, Turkish Ambassador to Moscow, and Bashar Basho, Counsellor of the Turkish Embassy in Russia, visited Russian International Affairs Council.
RIAC guests discussed the state of relations between Russia and Turkey, the current situation in Syria and the prospects of preventing further aggravation of the conflict in the Syrian province of Idlib, as well as the role of the two countries in promoting political settlement of the Syrian conflict. More general security issues in the Middle East were also touched upon in the context of increased tensions between the U.S. and Iran.
Turkish diplomats ...
... assault on Idlib by the Syrian regime seems imminent. Both sides are interested in clearing Idlib of extremist factions like Hayat Tahrir al al-Sham, but employ different methods: while Russia seems to be preparing for a costly, full-scale offensive in Idlib, Turkey offers to use its influence and strategic position to get rid of extremists without a major military campaign by the Syrian regime, which is expected to have devastating results. Turkey and the moderate opposition can free Idlib from radical groups,...
