Publication

The brief questions the strategic meaning of the recent joint Russian naval exercise in the Mediterranean Sea and ongoing Russian operations in the region. It argues that the exercise is a sign of Russia's interests to deter a potential western intervention in Syria, its willingness to secure Assad's potential retreat and a general demonstration of force. Exercises could also be a way of pressuring Turkey and promoting cooperation with other regional partners. Russia's capabilities in the area, however, remain limited in comparison with its rivals in the Middle East and globally. In concluding, the brief notes that Russian presence can be exploited to reach understanding with the US on a settlement in Syria.