Profile in Focus | Russia in Syria - Part 8 (October 2016 - December 2016)
Russia Is A Terrorist State: Part 3 (2011 - 2016)
Profile in Focus | Russia in Syria - Part 8 (October 2016 - December 2016)
“The work of foreign media in Palmyra (Syrian Arab Republic)” by the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation via Mil.ru under CC BY 4.0.
In October 2016, tensions between Russia and the US escalated in the context of the Syrian conflict. Russia issued a warning to the US, threatening to shoot down any attempted airstrikes in Syria. The troop presence of Russia in Syria became officially open-ended, indicating a sustained commitment. However, the United Nations Security Council failed to adopt resolutions aimed at preventing a humanitarian catastrophe in Aleppo, despite urgent appeals.
Newsweek explored why many Russians seemed indifferent to Putin's war in Syria. The conflict in Syria had evolved into a global war, drawing various international actors into the complex situation. The New Yorker examined Putin's motivations for intensifying Russian military involvement in Syria.
As the US election neared, voter opinions were divided on issues such as US international involvement, free trade, ISIS, Syria, Russia, and China. A poll revealed that nearly half of Russians feared the Syria conflict could escalate into World War III.
An investigative report by Reuters shed light on the presence of "ghost soldiers," Russian fighters secretly dying for the Kremlin in Syria. Human Rights Watch accused Russia of war crimes during a month of intense bombing in Aleppo and called for an emergency special session at the UN General Assembly.
In December, Russia announced that the bombing of Aleppo would continue until rebel forces left the city. Russian military operations in Ukraine and Syria provided lessons for future operations. Aleppo remained a focal point as Syria claimed control over the eastern part of the city. Reports emerged of Russian ground troops, including Chechens, fighting in Syria.
Insider suggested that Russia may no longer be the most powerful actor in Syria, while the Center for Strategic & International Studies examined the available options for addressing the Syrian crisis. As the year came to an end, Politico noted that the US found itself sidelined as Putin called the shots on the Syria cease-fire, highlighting Russia's increasing dominance in shaping the conflict's outcome.
Written in part in collaboration with ChatGPT on May 31, 2023
Previous: Profile in Focus | Russia in Syria Part 7 (September 2016)
Next: Profile in Focus | Russia in Syria Part 9 (January 2017 - March 2017)
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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 8 (October 2016 - December 2016):
Russia's troop presence in Syria now officially open-ended - CBS News October 7, 2016
Putin's War in Syria: Why Russians Don't Seem to Care About It - Newsweek October 10, 2016
How Syria Became the New Global War - SPIEGEL International October 11, 2016
Putin, Syria, and Why Moscow Has Gone War-Crazy - The New Yorker October 14, 2016
Ghost soldiers: the Russians secretly dying for the Kremlin in Syria - Reuters November 3, 2016
Aleppo bombing will continue until rebels leave, Russia says - The Guardian December 9, 2016
Russian Military Draws Lessons From Ukraine and Syria Ops - Foreign Policy December 9, 2016
Syria, Russia pound rebel-held Aleppo but advances halt - CBC News December 10, 2016
Russia: Syria establishes control over eastern Aleppo - CNN December 12, 2016
Russian Ground Troops, Including Chechens, Reportedly Fighting in Syria - VOA News December 13, 2016
Russia may no longer be the most powerful actor in Syria - INSIDER December 14, 2016
What options do we have in Syria? - Center for Strategic & International Studies December 15, 2016
U.S. sidelined as Putin calls the shots on Syria cease-fire - POLITICO December 29, 2016