Russia has become the new problem in the Middle East with its intervention in Syria. The civil war in the country has become more complicated and disastrous with Moscow’s entry. Yesterday, Russian jets struck 10 Islamic State targets in Syria, according to the defence ministry in Moscow. Moscow is ramping up its aerial campaign with bombardments that for the first time targeted the Damascus area. The US, NATO and the international community are forced to watch helplessly as Russian forces consolidate their presence in Syria. In a more brazen act, Russian jets violated the Turkish air space along the frontier with Syria, and Ankara threatened to respond if provoked again, raising the prospect of direct confrontation between the Cold War enemies. The US and its NATO allies also condemned the Russian action.
The NATO held an emergency meeting of ambassadors of its 28 member states to respond to what Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg called “unacceptable violations of Turkish air space” after Turkey said a Russian jet had crossed its frontier.
Vladimir Putin certainly has an elaborate gameplan for Syria, both known and unknown. According to some experts, the Syrian intervention is Putin’s response to domestic pressure caused by an economy that is faltering due to a deep plunge in oil prices and sanctions imposed after Crimea, or a plan to divert attention from Ukraine or a reassertion of Moscow’s position in the Middle East. Whatever the reasons, whether domestic or external, or a combination of both, the intervention is definitely inimical to our region’s interests. It only serves to strengthen the Shia influence in our region by strengthening the position of Assad. The continuation of Bashar Al Assad is a threat to the region’s stability. By deploying its troops on the ground to help an ally, Moscow is trying to change the power equations in the region.
Interestingly, Arab countries have kept silent over Russian air strikes, apart from Egypt which openly supports Moscow’s campaign. Their silence could be stemming from a confusion caused by a lack of understanding about where the situation is heading. Russia’s entry in Syria was unexpected, and caught everyone by surprise. What was seen as a moral support or a minimal military involvement is now expanding to a bigger role, which if left unchecked, can change the situation irreversibly in favour of Assad.
It’s time for the GCC countries and Turkey to formulate a new and a more forceful strategy on Syria taking into consideration the latest developments. Any delay can have disastrous consequences. It can undo years of work done to support the rebels who are fighting for democracy. For a region which is already grappling with an emergence of Iran, the rise of Assad will pose an equally serious challenge.
Russia has become the new problem in the Middle East with its intervention in Syria. The civil war in the country has become more complicated and disastrous with Moscow’s entry. Yesterday, Russian jets struck 10 Islamic State targets in Syria, according to the defence ministry in Moscow. Moscow is ramping up its aerial campaign with bombardments that for the first time targeted the Damascus area. The US, NATO and the international community are forced to watch helplessly as Russian forces consolidate their presence in Syria. In a more brazen act, Russian jets violated the Turkish air space along the frontier with Syria, and Ankara threatened to respond if provoked again, raising the prospect of direct confrontation between the Cold War enemies. The US and its NATO allies also condemned the Russian action.
The NATO held an emergency meeting of ambassadors of its 28 member states to respond to what Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg called “unacceptable violations of Turkish air space” after Turkey said a Russian jet had crossed its frontier.
Vladimir Putin certainly has an elaborate gameplan for Syria, both known and unknown. According to some experts, the Syrian intervention is Putin’s response to domestic pressure caused by an economy that is faltering due to a deep plunge in oil prices and sanctions imposed after Crimea, or a plan to divert attention from Ukraine or a reassertion of Moscow’s position in the Middle East. Whatever the reasons, whether domestic or external, or a combination of both, the intervention is definitely inimical to our region’s interests. It only serves to strengthen the Shia influence in our region by strengthening the position of Assad. The continuation of Bashar Al Assad is a threat to the region’s stability. By deploying its troops on the ground to help an ally, Moscow is trying to change the power equations in the region.
Interestingly, Arab countries have kept silent over Russian air strikes, apart from Egypt which openly supports Moscow’s campaign. Their silence could be stemming from a confusion caused by a lack of understanding about where the situation is heading. Russia’s entry in Syria was unexpected, and caught everyone by surprise. What was seen as a moral support or a minimal military involvement is now expanding to a bigger role, which if left unchecked, can change the situation irreversibly in favour of Assad.
It’s time for the GCC countries and Turkey to formulate a new and a more forceful strategy on Syria taking into consideration the latest developments. Any delay can have disastrous consequences. It can undo years of work done to support the rebels who are fighting for democracy. For a region which is already grappling with an emergence of Iran, the rise of Assad will pose an equally serious challenge.
