Profile in Focus | Russia in Syria - Part 5 (January 2016 - March 2016)
Russia Is A Terrorist State: Part 3 (2011 - 2016)
Profile in Focus | Russia in Syria - Part 5 (January 2016 - March 2016)
“Syrian and Iraqi refugees arrive from Turkey to Skala Sykamias, Lesbos island, Greece. Volunteers (life rescue team - with yellow-red clothes) from the Spanish NGO Proactiva Open Arms help the refugees” by Ggia under CC BY-SA 4.0.
In early 2016, the conflict between Russia and Syria continued to make headlines. The year started with tensions escalating between Russia and Turkey, two countries deeply involved in the Syrian war. The Center for Strategic & International Studies highlighted the confrontation and its implications beyond Syria. The Atlantic expressed concerns about the danger of Putin losing in Syria, emphasizing the stakes involved.
Russia's intervention in Syria had a significant impact on the war's most critical battlefield. INSIDER reported that the slope of the war had changed due to Russia's involvement. However, the Washington Post shed light on a secret pact between Russia and Syria that gave Moscow significant freedom of action in the region.
As the conflict raged on, Al Jazeera reported that Russian airstrikes had resulted in the deaths of over 1,000 civilians. The BBC News pointed out that Russia's military buildup in Syria seemed to indicate a long-term commitment.
Human Rights Watch highlighted the increased use of cluster munitions by Russia in Syria, despite their ban. CNN explored five reasons why Putin backed Assad, shedding light on Russia's motivations. Al Jazeera reported that Russia was involved in daily cluster bomb attacks in Syria.
Russia's role in mediating local deals with rebels in Syria was highlighted by Reuters, emphasizing Moscow's diplomatic efforts. TIME provided an exclusive interview with Russia's Prime Minister, touching on Syria, sanctions, and the new Cold War.
RFERL raised questions about whether Russia was "weaponizing refugees" to advance its geopolitical goals. The Daily Beast reported that Russia was launching twice as many airstrikes as the United States in Syria. Turkey's frustration with the Obama administration's handling of the Syrian conflict was featured in POLITICO.
Bellingcat investigated how Russia evaded responsibility for war crimes in Syria, raising concerns about accountability. VOA News reported Russia's claim that arms were coming into Syria from Turkey, while NATO accused Russia and Syria of weaponizing the refugee crisis to destabilize Europe.
In March, Abu Omar al-Shishani, a prominent ISIL commander, died. Russia's withdrawal from Syria became a significant development, with ABC News and NBC News reporting on Putin's order to begin withdrawing Russian troops. Media outlets such as CNN, The Guardian, and NDTV provided coverage of the withdrawal process.
Analysts weighed in on Russia's perceived victory in Syria, with Reuters examining why and how Russia succeeded, and PBS FRONTLINE discussing the implications of Russia's drawdown. The New York Times explored what Russia accomplished in Syria, while The Washington Post and Foreign Affairs evaluated Russia's military effectiveness and Putin's strategy.
The debate continued, with Vox questioning whether Putin truly won in Syria or was cutting his losses. The Atlantic Council argued that Putin's decision to withdraw forces betrayed Iran. ABC News reported that despite the withdrawal, Russia maintained a significant presence in Syria. Foreign Policy highlighted the success of Putin's attack helicopters and mercenaries in securing Assad's position.
The events from January to March 2016 highlighted the multifaceted nature of Russia's involvement in the Syrian conflict, showcasing the military, diplomatic, and geopolitical dimensions at play.
Written in part in collaboration with ChatGPT on May 31, 2023
Previous: Profile in Focus | Russia in Syria Part 4 (November 2015 - December 2015)
Next: Profile in Focus | Russia in Syria Part 6 (April 2016 - August 2016)
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Putin Is A War Criminal
Russia Is A Terrorist State:
Part 1 (1990s)
Part 2 (2000s)
Part 3 (2011 - 2016)
Part 4 (2016 - 2019)
Part 5 (2020 - 2021)
Part 6: (2022+)
Sources for Profile in Focus | Russia in Syria Part 5 (January 2016 - March 2016):
The Danger of Putin Losing in Syria - The Atlantic January 8, 2016
Russian air strikes kill over 1,000 civilians in Syria - Al Jazeera January 20, 2016
Syria conflict: Russia's build-up looks long-term - BBC News January 23, 2016
What does Russia want in Syria? 5 reasons Putin backs Assad - CNN February 8, 2016
Report: Russia in ‘daily cluster bomb attacks’ in Syria - Al Jazeera February 9, 2016
Russia helps mediate local deals with rebels in Syria: minister - Reuters February 11, 2016
Exclusive: Russia's Prime Minister on Syria, Sanctions and a New Cold War - TIME February 15, 2016
Is Russia 'Weaponizing Refugees' To Advance Its Geopolitical Goals? - RFERL February 19, 2016
Russia Is Launching Twice as Many Airstrikes as the U.S. in Syria - Daily Beast February 23, 2016
Turkey gives up on Obama, bristles over Syria deal - POLITICO February 25, 2016
How Russia Evades Responsibility for War Crimes in Syria - Bellingcat February 27, 2016
Russia Says Arms Coming Into Syria From Turkey - VOA News March 1, 2016
Abu Omar al-Shishani: Death of an ISIL commander | Opinion - Al Jazeera March 10, 2016
Putin Orders Russian Troops to Begin Withdrawing from Syria - ABC News March 14, 2016
Vladimir Putin Orders Russian Military Pullout From Syria - NBC News March 14, 2016
Russia's military action in Syria – timeline - The Guadian March 14, 2016
Why — and how — Russia won in Syria - Reuters March 15, 2016
Russia begins withdrawing forces from Syria - CNN March 15, 2016
Russia Is Drawing Down In Syria. Will Its Leverage Go Too? - PBS FRONTLINE March 16, 2016
With Syria Pull-Out, Russia Scores Its First Win In The New Cold War - wbur March 17, 2016
What Russia Accomplished in Syria - The New York Times March 18, 2016
Russia’s Pyrrhic Victory in Syria | Before and After the Drawdown - Foreign Affairs March 20, 2016
What Russia's military proved in Syria - Vox March 21, 2016
Did Putin win in Syria? Or is he cutting his losses? - BROOKINGS March 21, 2016
Putin Decision to Withdraw Forces from Syria Is a Betrayal of Iran - Atlantic Council March 21, 2016