Russian Role in Syria in the Light of Its Strategy Towards the Middle East (2015-2018)

Abstract

This paper contributes to the analysis the Russian strategy in the Middle East focusing on its acts in Syria. The paper raises crucial issues concerning the main aspects of Russian strategy in the ME; its motives to intervene in Syria, the relationship between Russian engagement in the conflict in Syria and the Russian-US rivalry, as well as Russian-European relations, the Russian successes and failures in Syria and how Russia's role in Syria may affect both regional and global regimes. The analysis in this paper seeks to discuss these thorny issues through a structured literature review of Russian strategy objectives and determinants in the Middle East, and its role in Syrian conflict.