For many years, Russia has had a naval base at the port of Latakia in Syria. It is Russia's only naval base in the Mediterranean. It is also one of the main reasons why Russia has supported the government of Bashir al Assad in Syria since the start of the civil war. Indeed, Assad's main allies in his fight for survival have been (1) Iran, (2) the terrorists at Hezbollah and (3) Russia. Despite the ongoing support for the Assad regime, however, it is in danger of collapsing. The rise of ISIS blocked the overland route for supplies reaching Assad forces from Iran. The naval route from Iran is long and unlikely to work particularly during these times where there are still sanctions on Iran's international trade. There has only been airlifts to get needed supplies to the Assad forces. It is with this in mind that Russia is now building an air base at which it will permanently house Russian forces in the region near Latakia. Russia is also flying big supply planes into Syria in support of this move.
This is a very dangerous move by the Russians. First of all, the Russians will become a target for the Sunni rebels and possibly also for ISIS. It may prove difficult for president Putin to explain to his people why fifty or a hundred Russian military are dead after some attack on their new base. It is also very problematic for the Russians to put forces at risk in a region where access to those forces could be cut by Turkey or other countries who will not have Russia's best interests at heart.
It is also very instructive to see that Iran and Russia are working together here in a way that will thwart the desires of the USA. We would like to see the end of the Syrian civil war and the ouster of Assad. America's allies in Jordan, Israel and Turkey will no doubt watch closely as Russia moves troops into Syria and Obama does nothing to stop that move.
All things considered, this is not a good development.
This is a very dangerous move by the Russians. First of all, the Russians will become a target for the Sunni rebels and possibly also for ISIS. It may prove difficult for president Putin to explain to his people why fifty or a hundred Russian military are dead after some attack on their new base. It is also very problematic for the Russians to put forces at risk in a region where access to those forces could be cut by Turkey or other countries who will not have Russia's best interests at heart.
It is also very instructive to see that Iran and Russia are working together here in a way that will thwart the desires of the USA. We would like to see the end of the Syrian civil war and the ouster of Assad. America's allies in Jordan, Israel and Turkey will no doubt watch closely as Russia moves troops into Syria and Obama does nothing to stop that move.
All things considered, this is not a good development.
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