The topic of the discussion was the new aggravation of the military situation in Syria, interests of the major regional and global players in the Syrian conflict, the prospects for the political process in Geneva,... ... 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 ...
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 none other than then-U.S. President Barack Obama ...
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....
In 2016 the world has witnessed the deterioration of the crisis in several Middle Eastern states, Russia's expansion and affirmation in the region, increased number of its regional partners. What trends will develop in 2017,... ... Eastern states, especially in those that are considered "failed" states. We can talk about the continuation of the Syrian crisis deepening, while, however, there are some signs toward the settlement.
The situation in Libya worsened, the chaos ...