Publication

In light of the commencement of Russian airstrikes in Syria on September 30, 2015, this paper discusses what objectives the Kremlin is hoping to achieve through its intervention in the Syrian civil war. The author contends that Moscow's strategy in Syria‐Iraq is very clear. The initial Russian effort is to consolidate and stabilize the areas adjacent to the Alawite heartland and particularly the Russian defense zone. The second priority is to clear the roads to Aleppo and lift the siege and occupation of the city by Syrian rebel and Islamic State forces. He further points out that once these objectives are complete, Syrian government forces will be in a position to advance into the IS' heartland in the Euphrates Valley.