Profile in Focus | Russia in Syria - Part 19 (2022)
Russia Is A Terrorist State: Part 3 (2011 - 2016)
Profile in Focus | Russia in Syria - Part 19 (2022)
“Syrian protesters assemble in solidarity with Ukrainians under Russian attack” from Save Mariupol by Alisdare Hickson under CC BY-SA 2.0.
In 2022, Russia's involvement in Syria continued to shape the ongoing conflict. Russian civilian outreach and information operations in Syria drew attention, highlighting their efforts to influence the narrative. Human rights organizations documented events in Syria, shedding light on the challenges faced by the Syrian people.
The presence of both US and Russian troops in Syria was explored, with discussions about the reasons behind their deployments. Concerns arose about the potential for a Ukraine-style insurgency, with experts cautioning against Russia applying its "Syria Rules" to Ukraine.
A deal between the US and Russia emerged, easing pressure on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Meanwhile, Russia sent warplanes to Syria for naval drills in the Mediterranean, demonstrating its military presence. Despite the war in Ukraine, military coordination between Russia and Israel regarding Syria continued.
An analysis compared Putin's actions in Ukraine to his playbook in Syria, highlighting the similarities. Syrians expressed solidarity with Ukraine after the Russian invasion, drawing parallels to their own experiences. The horrors of Russian air attacks in Syria were recounted, emphasizing the devastating impact on civilians.
The Syrian White Helmets, a volunteer rescue group, expressed their willingness to help Ukraine, showcasing the shared experiences of conflict. Israel-Russia coordination in Syria remained unaffected by the war in Ukraine. The implications of Putin's military interventions in the Middle East, including Syria, were reexamined.
Critics argued that the world's lenience toward Russia's actions in Syria contributed to the invasion of Ukraine. Russian tactics in Syria were analyzed for their potential application in Ukraine. The transfer of troops from Syria to Ukraine began, raising concerns about the escalation of the conflict.
Reports emerged of Russia conducting airstrikes on fighters in Syria, further intensifying the situation. Diplomatic ties between Ukraine and Syria were severed after Syria recognized the independence of Ukraine's eastern regions. Russia vetoed the extension of a UN aid route for Syria, leading to international condemnation.
Debates ensued regarding the merits of cross-border aid operations in Syria and the implications of Russia's veto. Lessons from past diplomacy with Russia regarding Syria were examined, providing insights into current US policy considerations. The shrinking of Russia's forces in Syria influenced Israel's strategy in the region.
Accusations were made against Russia by the White Helmets, blaming them for deadly strikes on camps in Syria. The reignited conflict in Syria raised questions about what Russia stood to gain from its involvement.
Throughout 2022, Russia's actions in Syria continued to have far-reaching consequences for both the Syrian people and regional dynamics, while also drawing comparisons to its actions in Ukraine. The conflict remained a complex and evolving situation with significant humanitarian and geopolitical implications.
Written in part in collaboration with ChatGPT on June 1, 2023
Previous: Profile in Focus | Russia in Syria Part 18 (2021)
Next: Profile in Focus | Russia in Syria Part 20 (January 2023 - February 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 19 (2022):
Syria | Events of 2021 - Human Rights Watch January 13, 2022
Why the United States and Russia Both Have Troops in Syria - The National Interest January 14, 2022
A Ukraine Insurgency? Beware Moscow’s “Syria Rules”! - Wilson Center January 20, 2022
Inside the U.S.-Russia Deal that Eases Pressure on Assad - Foreign Policy February 8, 2022
Russia sees military coordination with Israel on Syria continuing - Reuters February 26, 2022
Russia's growing ties to Syria amid military backing - France 24 February 28, 2022
Russia’s Syria intervention provided hints for Ukraine war - AP News March 1, 2022
Is Russia Using Its Syria Playbook for Invasion of Ukraine? - VOA News March 3, 2022
Syrians recount horror under Russian air attacks - Al Jazeera March 5, 2022
The Syrian White Helmets are ready to help Ukraine | Opinion - The Washington Post March 8, 2022
Israel-Russia coordination in Syria unaffected by war in Ukraine - AXIOS March 9, 2022
Reëxamining Putin’s Military Interventions in the Middle East - The New Yorker March 9, 2022
40,000 Syrians Reportedly Signed Up to Fight for Russia Have yet to Arrive - Newsweek March 14, 2022
Lessons from Russia's role in Syria war - NPR March 20, 2022
How Russia is using tactics from the Syrian playbook in Ukraine - The Guardian March 24, 2022
Was Putin's playbook for Ukraine written in Syria? - CBS News March 28, 2022
Putin’s poisons: 2017 attack in Syria - U.S. EMBASSY & CONSULATES IN ITALY April 4, 2022
What’s Putin’s Next Move? Look to Syria - POLITICO April 27, 2022
Road to Damascus | The Russian Air Campaign in Syria, 2015 to 2018 - RAND Corporation May 11, 2022
Conflict in Syria - Council on Foreign Relations May 11, 2022
Russia begins transfer of troops from Syria to Ukraine as Finland signals Nato membership - The Independent May 12, 2022
Russia warned US it was going to conduct airstrikes on fighters in Syria - CNN June 16, 2022
Russia Vetoes Extension Of UN Aid Route For Syria - RFERL July 9, 2022
Russia’s justification for using its veto on Syria is pure fiction - Gov.UK July 21, 2022
REMARKS AT A UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY MEETING - U.S. EMBASSY IN SYRIA July 21, 2022
How the Anti-war Camp Went Intellectually Bankrupt - The Atlantic September 29, 2022
Can Putin’s ‘Butcher of Syria’ save Russia from another rout? - POLITICO October 26, 2022
Syria war: White Helmets accuse Russia over deadly strikes on camps - BBC News November 7, 2022