Profile in Focus | Russia in Syria - Part 15 (May 2018 - December 2018)
Russia Is A Terrorist State: Part 3 (2011 - 2016)
Profile in Focus | Russia in Syria - Part 15 (May 2018 - December 2018)
“Russian President Vladimir Putin with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad” by www.kremlin.ru under CC BY 3.0.
From May to December 2018, the situation in Syria continued to be a focal point of international attention, particularly with regard to Russia's involvement. Tensions between Russia and Israel escalated, as reported by the Atlantic Council, with both countries conducting military actions in Syria.
A study by VOA News and Agence France-Presse revealed that Russian support had allowed Syrian President Assad to regain control over half of the country. This highlighted the significant role Russia played in bolstering Assad's regime.
The Center for Strategic & International Studies assessed the Russian Armed Forces' presence in Syria, highlighting the reforms undertaken by Russia to enhance its military capabilities in the region.
Bloomberg reported that Russia announced that Syria had rejected a new constitution that would have diluted Assad's powers. This demonstrated Russia's efforts to maintain Assad's authority in the country.
In May 2018, a four-hour battle between Russian mercenaries and U.S. commandos took place in Syria, as detailed by The New York Times and The Independent. This clash shed light on the complex dynamics and the risks of unintended confrontations between Russian and American forces in the region.
The United States Department of Justice charged Russian and Syrian nationals with laundering millions of dollars for a designated Russian company involved in shipping jet fuel to Syria in violation of U.S. sanctions.
Speculation arose about a potential war between Russia and America in Syria, as discussed by The National Interest, reflecting the volatile situation and the potential for further escalation.
Russia's tank drone, as reported by Popular Mechanics, performed poorly in Syria, highlighting the challenges faced by Russia in its military operations.
The Washington Post examined the common interests between Russia and the U.S. in Syria but questioned whether it would have a significant impact on the ongoing conflict.
Reports from ABC News revealed that the U.S. commander in the Middle East was hesitant to cooperate with Russians in Syria on refugee matters, underscoring the complexities of collaboration between the two countries.
Newsweek and NavyTimes discussed Russia's prolonged presence in Syria, with Russia indicating that it would not leave the country until there was a global power shift, while also emphasizing the ongoing threat posed by Russian jamming capabilities.
The Financial Times reported on Russia's diplomatic efforts to rebuild Syria, highlighting its increased influence in the country.
Newsweek and BBC News reported on Russia's military presence in Syria, providing insight into the number of Russian troops involved in combat operations.
In August 2018, Russia warned the U.S. of an impending attack in an area of Syria with U.S. troops, as reported by CNN, raising concerns about the potential for direct clashes.
The Guardian covered the situation in Idlib, where Russia and Iran dismissed ceasefire calls, and the region braced for a potential assault. The article highlighted the complex dynamics and the challenges of achieving a peaceful resolution in the conflict.
Turkey and Russia reached an agreement to create a demilitarized zone in Idlib, as reported by AP News, Reuters, NPR, and PBS FRONTLINE. The establishment of the buffer zone aimed to reduce tensions and prevent further escalation in the region.
BBC News reported that Russia blamed Israel after a Russian military plane was shot down off the coast of Syria, straining the relationship between the two countries.
The Economist highlighted the deal between Turkey and Russia over Syria, emphasizing the shifting dynamics and the involvement of various regional actors.
France warned that Syria would face perpetual war unless Russia extended the ceasefire, as reported by The Guardian, underlining the pivotal role Russia played in the conflict.
Syria's accidental downing of a Russian plane prompted Russia to provide Syria with better missiles, as described by Popular Mechanics and The Christian Science Monitor. This development marked a shift in the relationship between Russia and Israel.
The Atlantic Council analyzed the evolution of Russia's military intervention in Syria, reflecting on the three-year span of its involvement and its impact on the conflict.
VOA News and Reuters reported on Russia's missile system delivery to Syria and its warning to the West regarding peace talks, signaling Russia's determination to maintain its influence in the country.
According to The Independent and DW, a monitoring group estimated that Russia had caused the deaths of at least 18,000 people since its military intervention in Syria three years earlier, highlighting the devastating toll of the conflict.
The Conversation shed light on Russia's use of UN vetoes, which enabled mass murder in Syria and hindered international efforts to address the crisis.
Defense One highlighted Russia's success in the information war in Iraq and Syria, underscoring Russia's effective propaganda efforts.
The Conversation explored Russia's grand strategy in Syria, explaining how Putin sought to turn Turkey into Moscow's proxy and expand Russia's influence in the region.
The Center for Strategic & International Studies analyzed Russia's military reforms, drawing comparisons between its actions in Georgia and Syria.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury designated an illicit Russia-Iran oil network that supported the Assad regime, Hezbollah, and Hamas, revealing the extent of illicit financial activities.
Incidents of gunfire exchange between Americans and Russians in Syria were reported by MilitaryTimes, demonstrating the complexities and risks faced by both sides.
The Washington Post provided answers to basic questions about the war in Syria, offering a comprehensive overview for readers seeking to understand the conflict.
In December 2018, NBC News and POLITICO discussed the impact of President Trump's decision to withdraw U.S. forces from Syria, with experts expressing concerns about the victory it would represent for Iran and Russia.
The New York Times reported on the future of Syria, predicting a fragile landscape dominated by Russia and Iran, underscoring the lasting influence of these two countries in shaping Syria's trajectory.
Throughout the latter half of 2018, Russia's involvement in Syria remained a critical factor in the ongoing conflict, with its military presence, diplomatic maneuvers, and strategic interests significantly shaping the dynamics on the ground.
Written in part in collaboration with ChatGPT on June 1, 2023
Previous: Profile in Focus | Russia in Syria Part 14 (April 2018)
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Part 1 (1990s)
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Part 3 (2011 - 2016)
Part 4 (2016 - 2019)
Part 5 (2020 - 2021)
Part 6: (2022+)
Sources for Profile in Focus | Russia in Syria Part 15:
Increased Tensions between Russia and Israel in Syria - Atlantic Council May 1, 2018
Study: Russian Support Gave Assad Half of Syria - VOA News | Agence France-Presse May 15, 2018
Russia Says Syria Rejects New Constitution Diluting Assad Powers - Bloomberg May 21, 2018
Did Russia and America Almost Go to War in Syria? - The National Interest June 16, 2018
Russia’s Tank Drone Performed Poorly in Syria - POPULAR MECHANICS June 17, 2018
Russia's Wars and Trump - RAND Corporation | The Hill July 11, 2018
Syria Wants Russia Military to Stay Until Global Power Shifts - Newsweek July 26, 2018
Russia’s probably not leaving Syria anytime soon. Here’s why. - NavyTimes July 27, 2018
Russian Jamming Poses a Growing Threat to U.S. Troops in Syria - Foreign Policy July 30, 2018
Trump’s Post-ISIS Retreat Leaves Syria Vulnerable to Russia and Iran - Foreign Policy August 7, 2018
Russia says drone attacks on its Syria base have increased - AP News August 16, 2018
Russia launches a diplomatic offensive on rebuilding Syria - Financial Times Aug 21, 2018
Russia says 63,000 troops have seen combat in Syria - BBC News August 23, 2018
Russia says it will hold war games in Mediterranean this week - CBS News August 30, 2018
Russia warns US of pending attack in Syrian area with US troops - CNN September 6, 2018
Turkey, Russia agree on demilitarized zone in Syria’s Idlib - AP News September 17, 2018
Russia and Turkey agree to create buffer zone in Syria's Idlib - Reuters September 17, 2018
Russia and Turkey Agree to Demilitarized Zone in Syria - PBS FRONTLINE September 17, 2018
Russia blames Israel after military plane shot down off Syria - BBC News September 18, 2019
Turkey and Russia cut a deal over Syria - The Economist September 20, 2018
Russian strikes in Syria kill 18,000 - DW | Agence France-Presse October 1, 2018
How Russia’s UN vetoes have enabled mass murder in Syria - The Conversation October 2, 2018
Russia is Winning the Information War in Iraq and Syria: UK General - Defense One October 8, 2018
7 basic questions about the war in Syria - The Washington Post December 18, 2018
Coons: Syria withdrawal ‘a great big Christmas gift’ to Russia, Iran - POLITICO December 23, 2018
Syria Faces Brittle Future, Dominated by Russia and Iran - The New York Times December 26, 2018