Profile in Focus | Russia in Syria - Part 17 (2020)
Russia Is A Terrorist State: Part 3 (2011 - 2016)
Profile in Focus | Russia in Syria - Part 17 (2020)
“In the Orthodox Church of the Holy Virgin Mary. With President of the Syrian Arab Republic Bashar al-Assad” by the Press Service of the President of the Russian Federation via www.kremlin.ru under CC BY 3.0.
In 2020, the conflict in Syria continued to be heavily influenced by Russia's involvement. Russian President Vladimir Putin made visits to Syria and Turkey, showcasing Russia's military and energy capabilities. However, tensions between Turkey and Syria escalated, with deadly strikes exchanged and Russia closely monitoring the situation. The United States increased its warnings to Russia regarding its actions in Syria.
In February, clashes between Russia and Turkey led to a disastrous situation in Syria. The United Nations urged Russia and Turkey to secure a fresh ceasefire, as the risk of military escalation grew. An incident occurred where Turkish troops were killed, and Russia sent warships to Syria, blaming Ankara for the deaths. The situation worsened when the UN panel accused Russia of war crimes in Syria, specifically against civilians. It was the first time the UN directly blamed Russia for such crimes.
Amid the uncertainty caused by the United States in Syria, the Kurdish YPG sought to strengthen ties with Russia. The efficiency of the Syrian armed forces was analyzed, highlighting the assistance provided by Russia. While a UN probe blamed Syria and its allies for civilian attacks, it avoided directly blaming Russia. The Wilson Center described Assad as a spoiler and discussed Russia's challenge in Syria. The Center for Strategic & International Studies examined Moscow's war in Syria, while the RAND Corporation and Newsweek explored Russia's challenge and Syria's opportunity.
The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace shed light on Russia's private military companies and their involvement in Syria. Russia expressed its interest in expanding its military presence in northeastern Syria. Interactions between American and Russian troops in Syria increased, leading to clashes and injuries. The Pentagon accused Russia of provocative and aggressive behavior, which injured US troops. Some argued that keeping US troops in Syria to counter Russia had the opposite effect.
Russia vowed to help Syria break through crippling US sanctions, and the Pentagon deployed reinforcements to Syria following clashes with Russian forces. Analysis questioned what Russia had gained from five years of fighting in Syria, while DW and Foreign Policy examined Russia's long-term involvement. Human Rights Watch reported on Russia's strategy, targeting civilian infrastructure and causing forced displacement.
As the year drew to a close, Syria expressed its desire for refugees to return, with Russia agreeing to support this initiative. The provision of Russian aid to Syria was seen as an underestimated instrument of soft power. Experts emphasized the need to reframe US Syria policy and recognized the role of Russia in finding a solution.
Written in part in collaboration with ChatGPT on June 1, 2023
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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 17 (2020):
Russia’s Putin visits Syria to meet Assad, a key Iran ally - PBS NewsHour January 7, 2020
Turkey, Syria Trade Deadly Strikes As Russia Watches Uneasily - NPR February 3, 2020
U.S. steps up warnings to Russia over actions in Syria - CBC News February 5, 2020
A disaster in Syria as Russia and Turkey clash - The Washington Post February 19, 2020
Russia committed war crimes in Syria, finds UN report - The Guardian March 2, 2020
Russia guilty of war crimes against civilians in Syria - Financial Times March 2, 2020
For the first time, UN panel directly accuses Russia of war crimes in Syria - CNBC March 3, 2020
As Turkey pounds the Syrian army, Russia wants to talk - The Economist March 5, 2020
UN Probe Blames Syria, Allies For Civilian Attacks, Avoids Blaming Russia - RFERL April 7, 2020
Assad the Spoiler: Russia's Challenge in Syria - Wilson Center April 30, 2020
Moscow’s War in Syria - Center for Strategic & International Studies May 12, 2020
Russia's Challenge and Syria's Chance - RAND Corporation | Newsweek May 20, 2020
Russia Eyes Military Expansion in Northeast Syria - VOA News June 3, 2020
Russia blames US for military vehicles’ collision in Syria - AP News August 27, 2020
Keeping US troops in Syria to counter Russia has the opposite effect - INSIDER September 4, 2020
Russia vows to help Syria "break through" crippling U.S. sanctions - CBS News September 9, 2020
Syria war: US deploys reinforcements to Syria after Russia clashes - BBC News September 19, 2020
What has Russia gained from five years of fighting in Syria? - Al Jazeera October 1, 2020
Russia in Syria: In for the long haul - DW October 1, 2020
Taking Stock: Five Years of Russia’s Intervention in Syria - Carnegie Europe November 30, 2020
Syria Wants Refugees to Return, Russia Agrees - VOA News December 11, 2020
Reframing US Syria policy: The road to Damascus runs through Moscow - BROOKINGS December 30, 2020