Tuesday 29 March 2016

What are the consequences of Russia pulling out of Syria, for Iran?


March 2016
How was this decision made by Russia? Is it a strategically important decision or a mere modus vivendi? The reason we raise these questions is that Russia has announced it will maintain its two air and naval bases in Syria. By keeping its boots in the Middle East bases does Russia intend to continue its operations in Syria?

Reports and news on this matter all explain this is a major decision. The method it was announced by the Kremlin, and a scene where Russian President Vladimir Putin coincidently issued orders to his foreign and defense ministers makes one realize the high importance and seriousness of this matter. Maintaining the two air and naval bases will play tactical roles and it appears they are aimed at lessening the blow of this withdraw. This is entirely different from the role Russian air force played in Syria.
Now we would like to see why Russia chose to suddenly pull out its forces out of Syria.
Following the developments in Syria, we reach this conclusion that Russia’s withdrawal was actually nothing unexpected. In my opinion it wasn’t even unexpected for the regime in Iran. The media outlets of both factions of “reformists” and “principlists” in Iran had been discussing Russia’s unfaithful practices under various pretexts. For example, a website associated to former Revolutionary Guards chief Mohsen Rezaie posted an in-depth analysis to provide his own opinions through the words of “foreign media outlets.” The Russians are seeking their own interests and have no specific commitment to Hezbollah, he wrote. Of course, it is crystal clear that by using the name Hezbollah, the former IRGC chief is actually referring to the regime ruling Iran.
Why did Russia make such a decision? One Russian official in describing this withdrawal of forces has said, “We did not enter Syria to remain there forever.” International observers said Russia entered the Syria spectrum seeking political and economic concessions, and if such objectives were reached it will leave the turmoil stricken country of Syria. However, the fact that this decision was made at such a turning point was first and foremost due to the heroic perseverance seen from the Syrian people and their freedom fighters, and of course the price they paid in the process of so many hundreds of thousands perishing.
As a Russian official said in an interview with the popular pan-Arabic Al Jazeera TV the Russians actually did not reach their goals and instead came to this conclusion that the Assad regime is in its final days. Remaining any further in Syria would cost Russia big.
Saudi Arabia, a major supporter of the Syrian opposition, had frankly informed Russia of its intention to provide anti-air weaponry to opposition forces, which would of course significantly tilt the balance of power against Moscow’s interests.
United Nations Special Envoy to Syria Staffan de Mistura had specifically warned if the negotiations in Geneva fail “Plan B” will fall into effect and Russia will find itself in a major showdown against the United Nations and Arab states. Other analysts and experts have cited the falling price of oil as an effective element. All these factors most definitely played a major role in the Kremlin’s turning point decision.
The question is why is the Iranian regime so terrified of such a development? I believe the answer is very clear: Russia departing from Syria means Iran and its proxy forces will be left on their own and the very powerful factors that forced Russia to leave will be focused completely on the Iran camp in Syria. Rest assured Iran’s strength in Syria is nothing comparable to that of Russia.

This leaves Iran and its proxies facing a difficult decision to either leave Syria, leading to the complete fall of this regime’s strategic depth; whereas deciding to remain in Syria would spell the end of Assad and Iranian regime together in the not so distant future.

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