{"id":25777,"date":"2023-11-18T21:53:02","date_gmt":"2023-11-18T17:53:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.syndicationbureau.com\/?p=25777"},"modified":"2023-11-21T00:28:35","modified_gmt":"2023-11-20T20:28:35","slug":"moscows-strategic-indifference-in-syria","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.syndicationbureau.com\/moscows-strategic-indifference-in-syria\/","title":{"rendered":"Moscow\u2019s Strategic Indifference in Syria"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Repercussions from Hamas’ October 7 attack continue to reverberate beyond Israel\u2019s borders. In Syria, skirmishes between Iranian-backed militias, Israeli forces, and American troops are complicating efforts to contain the fighting<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But as diplomats from Doha<\/a> to Downing Street<\/a> race to prevent a wider war, Russia, a key Syrian ally, has been conspicuously quiet. For Moscow, chaos may be a means to an end. <\/p>\n\n\n\n After decades of relative calm, fighting along Syria\u2019s southern border with Israel has returned. Initial clashes involved the exchange of mortar fire<\/a>, but tensions escalated significantly on November 10, when an armed drone reportedly flew more than 400 kilometers from southern Syria across Jordan to hit an Israeli school<\/a> in the city of Eilat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In response, Israel targeted not only the perpetrators of the attack<\/a> \u2013 without naming them \u2013 but also two Syrian airports<\/a> believed to serve as transit hubs for weapons to Iranian-backed militias throughout the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While concerns are mounting that these escalations could turn Syria into a new front in the Israel-Hamas war, Moscow\u2019s attempts to defuse the situation carry little clout, experts say. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Informed diplomats and analysts tell me that Moscow, despite being among President Bashar Al Assad\u2019s closest allies, isn\u2019t actively trying to mitigate the proxy war in Syria. This contrasts with Moscow\u2019s previous role as mediator<\/a> in Syria five years ago, when Russia relayed Israeli messages to Iran\u2019s leadership to help contain hostilities in May 2018.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In explaining the current silence, some sources suggest that Russia lacks sufficient leverage to influence a de-escalation. With Iran distancing itself<\/a> from this round of fighting, Moscow\u2019s ability to get Tehran to the table is limited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At the same time, Russia stands to benefit from the consequences of these escalations, particularly because they\u2019re perceived as posing no direct threat to Moscow. Dmitry Peskov, the Russian presidential spokesman, said recently<\/a> that the Kremlin has \u201cno concerns about Russia being drawn into the conflict.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n In truth, Russia has done more than observe. The Russian mercenary organization Wagner Group, which operates in Syria, has been tasked with delivering Russian-made surface-to-air SA-22 missile defense systems to Hezbollah, according to American intelligence sources<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Moscow may even be doing more than arming its allies. Classified documents leaked earlier this year<\/a> revealed the creation of a coordination center involving Russia, Iran, and the Syrian regime. Its purpose is to coordinate efforts to increase risks for United States military personnel in Syria \u2013 and to eventually compel their withdrawal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n To that end, US troops are increasingly under fire. In the month since Hamas\u2019 attack, US soldiers operating in Syria and Iraq have been hit by at least 40 separate drone and rocket attacks<\/a> launched by Iranian-backed militia groups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The departure of the US would be a strategic victory for Moscow, as it would open the door for the Syrian regime to regain control of the resource-rich northeast, handing Russia substantial financial gains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Assuming Washington stays put, which seems likely for now, the next-best outcome is a preoccupied foe. Moscow anticipates that increased American military support for Israel will divert resources away from Ukraine. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This is far from wishful thinking. Last month, US President Joe Biden sent a $106 billion emergency spending package request to Congress, which included funding for both Israel and Ukraine. Instead of approving the entire request, Republicans focused their efforts on passing a bill to provide only $14.3 billion in emergency aid to Israel. The bill passed the House of Representatives<\/a> before being blocked by Democrats in the Senate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even if Biden does manage to keep Ukraine atop the US funding agenda, the increased demand for US weapons could prompt Washington to prioritize deliveries to Israel<\/a> or split supplies between the two fronts. This situation might lead to delays in arms deliveries to Ukraine, causing concern for Kyiv.<\/p>\n\n\n\n