Publication

This brief explores the reasons behind Russia's involvement in Syria's civil war and the ersatz, recently announced “withdrawal” of most of its military units from the conflict. (Vladimir Putin declared the alleged cutback in March 2016.) As the brief’s authors see it, the withdrawal is nothing more than “a change in format” which permits Moscow to reduce its risks, cash in its negotiating cards, convey messages, and quickly revert back to its previous operating tempo if necessary.