Publication

This paper discusses the implications of Russia deploying its military forces to Syria in mid to late 2015 for global politics. The author suggests that 1) the positioning of Russian aircraft in Syria gives the Kremlin an ability to shape and control US and Western operations in both Syria and Iraq in a way that is disproportionate to the size of the Russian force; 2) the deployment may compel the US to accept a coalition with Russia, the Assad regime in Syira, Iran, and Lebanese Hezbollah to deal with the civil war in Syria that could involve operations against any and all opponents to Assad, and not just the Islamic State; and 3) the deployment may lead to a permanent Russian military base in the Eastern Mediterranean. They also discuss the composition of the Russian forces deployed to Syria and the intentions behind the deployment.