Profile in Focus | Russia in Syria - Part 22 (May 2023 - June 2023)
Russia Is A Terrorist State: Part 3 (2011 - 2016)
Profile in Focus | Russia in Syria - Part 22 (May 2023 - June 2023)
“Visit of Ebrahim Raisi to Bashar al-Assad in Damascus, May 2023” by Fars News under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Since May 1, 2023, the ongoing conflict between Russia and Syria has continued to evolve, with various diplomatic developments and military actions shaping the situation. The Syrian war, which has already lasted for 12 years, remains a complex and multifaceted issue.
In early May, Russian fighter pilots were accused of attempting to provoke dogfights with American jets over Syria. The tension between the two powers escalated further when it was revealed that a Russian missile had almost hit a US MQ-9 drone in Syria the previous year. These incidents underscored the risks and challenges faced by both sides in the region.
Meanwhile, Lebanon's government began implementing measures to squeeze out Syrian refugees, exacerbating the plight of those fleeing the war. The issue of Syrian refugees has become a pressing concern for neighboring countries and the international community.
Efforts to end the Syrian war gained new impetus during this period, with significant diplomatic developments taking place. In a surprising move, after 12 years of isolation, Syria under President Bashar al-Assad rejoined the Arab League, signaling a potential shift in regional dynamics. This development was followed by high-level talks in Moscow involving Russia, Syria, Turkey, and Iran. The talks aimed to improve relations among these countries and explore possibilities for cooperation.
Turkish and Syrian foreign ministers met for the first time since 2011, in a bid to improve ties and find common ground. The talks resulted in an agreement to enhance relations between Turkey and Syria, which had been strained for many years. Russia played a significant role in facilitating these negotiations and expressed its commitment to mending Syria-Turkey ties.
These diplomatic efforts and Syria's normalization of relations with Arab countries sparked debates about who would benefit from these changes. The return of Syria to the Arab League was met with mixed reactions, with some seeing it as an opportunity for remaking the Middle East, while others expressed concerns about the implications for regional stability.
However, amid these diplomatic maneuvers, the conflict on the ground in Syria continued to be marked by violence and instability. Reports emerged of escalating attacks by Iran against U.S. troops in Syria, as leaked documents revealed Iran's plans for a new phase of aggression. This development raised concerns about the potential for further escalation and the impact on the already volatile situation.
In late May, a Russian colonel was reportedly killed in a direct strike on his command post, adding to the casualties in the conflict. The intensity of the fighting and the significant human cost of the war were evident.
On the international stage, discussions at the United Nations emphasized the need for fresh diplomatic gains to be accompanied by concrete actions on the ground to bring an end to the war in Syria. The restoration of Syria's historic sites, such as the famed Roman ruins at Palmyra, also lagged due to the ongoing conflict.
As the conflict in Syria continues to unfold, the complexities of the war persist, with diplomatic efforts, military actions, and humanitarian concerns intertwining. The situation remains fluid and uncertain, with no immediate end in sight.
Written in part in collaboration with ChatGPT on June 2, 2023
Previous: Profile in Focus | Russia in Syria - Part 21 (March 2023 - April 2023)
Next: Bonus | Profile in Focus | Russia in Syria Part 23 | Sami For Syria
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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 22 (May 2023 - June 2023):
Why has the Syrian war lasted 12 years? - BBC News May 2, 2023
Russian missile nearly hit US MQ-9 drone in Syria last year: CENTCOM - MilitaryTimes May 4, 2023
Lebanon’s government is squeezing out Syrian refugees - The Economist May 4, 2023
Why Efforts to End Syria War Have Gained New Impetus - Bloomberg May 5, 2023
Russian Warships Attack ISIS Positions in Syria - Military.com May 5, 2023
Turkish, Syrian Foreign Ministers to Meet in Moscow - VOA News | Agence France-Presse May 9, 2023
After 12 years of blood, Assad’s Syria rejoins the Arab League - The Economist May 9, 2023
Russia, Syria, Turkey and Iran hold high-level talks in Moscow - Al Jazeera May 10, 2023
Turkey, Syria, Russia and Iran in highest-level talks since Syrian war - Reuters May 10, 2023
Turkish and Syrian FMs meet for first time since 2011 - AXIOS May 10, 2023
Russia Bids for Turkey-Syria Detente After Assad Mends Arab Ties - Bloomberg May 10, 2023
Turkey and Syria agree to improve ties after talks in Moscow - AP News May 10, 2023
Turkey and Syria agree to improve ties after talks in Moscow - ABC News | AP News May 10, 2023
Zelenskyy arrives at Arab League summit, as Saudi Arabia flexes diplomatic muscle - NPR May 18, 2023
Putin targets Ukrainian civilians because he could in Syria | Opinion - Al Jazeera May 19, 2023
Syria’s Assad receives warm welcome at Arab summit after years of isolation - NBC News May 19, 2023
Ukraine, Syria, NATO: why the Kremlin needs Erdogan to win - France 24 May 25, 2023
Russian Colonel Killed After Direct Strike on His Command Post—Reports - Newsweek May 29, 2023