391
The events in Syria, including the escape of dictator Bashar al-Assad to Moscow, became a clear confirmation of the weakening of Russia's position on the international arena. The war in Ukraine, along with Israel's efforts, has destroyed the Kremlin's ability to maintain influence in the Middle East, showing that Russia's resources are limited and insufficient to support its geopolitical ambitions, writes The Telegraph.
Russia: from hegemony to isolation
The Kremlin launched the Syrian campaign in 2015, taking advantage of Western indecision and supporting Assad with brutal bombings. This temporarily gave Russia new influence in the region and expanded its military presence. However, the invasion of Ukraine and Kiev's harsh response created significant problems for Moscow, limiting its resources and forcing it to cut support from other "partners".
Last week, after another bombing of Aleppo, Bashar al-Assad left Damascus. The escape of the Syrian leader proved that Russia is no longer capable of effectively interfering in the internal affairs of its allies. This was a blow to Moscow's reputation as a "defender" of authoritarian regimes.
How Ukraine influenced the weakness of the Kremlin
The war in Ukraine weakened Russia's military and economic capabilities. The battles in Donbas and the counteroffensive of the Armed Forces of Ukraine caused significant losses to its army. This made it difficult for the Kremlin to maintain its empire on other fronts, particularly in Syria. Russia's strategic miscalculations pushed it to isolation even in traditionally friendly countries.
As US President Joe Biden noted:
"The fall of Assad in Syria is a direct result of the strikes that Ukraine and Israel inflicted on Russia."
This weakness opens up opportunities for Russia's neighbors, such as Georgia, Moldova, and Belarus, to increase resistance to Russian influence.
Syria as a sign for others
Assad's departure undermines not only Russia's position in the Middle East, but also Iran's ability to control the region. Ukraine's successes inspire other opponents of the Kremlin and demonstrate that the Russian military has limited capabilities to wage protracted wars on multiple fronts. It is also a signal to Western countries that supporting Ukraine is capable of creating long-term changes in global security.
"No one really knows where the complex coalition of Syrian rebels will jump. But surely the time has come to challenge Biden's defeat on Ukraine and the anti-Ukraine noise from some in the Trump camp. Don't think that Ukraine has to lose," the newspaper writes.
Russia's losses in Ukraine are not only material, but also political. The country's economy is suffering from sanctions, and internal instability is growing. Putin is losing support even among his allies, such as China, which is increasingly wary of the Kremlin's escapades.
Russia's defeat in Syria and its difficulties in Ukraine demonstrate the limited resources of the Kremlin. The West should use this opportunity to strengthen support for Ukraine and create a new security architecture where Russian aggression will become impossible. Time has shown that Putin's endurance is not infinite, and his defeats can have far-reaching consequences for the entire world.
The situation in Syria is the main news
According to ISW analysts, after the fall of the Assad regime, Putin may lose his military bases in Syria, and this threatens the Kremlin with serious consequences. Analysts say the loss of Russian bases in Syria is likely to disrupt Russian logistics, as well as its resupply efforts and the rotation of the Africa Corps. The operations of the Russian Federation and the projection of force in Libya and the countries of Africa south of the Sahara are particularly affected.
