Russia's Position Weakened: How Putin Used Syria

Russia's Position Is Weakened: How Putin Used Syria Angela Figin

Russia actively supported the dictatorial regime of Bashar al-Assad in Syria. After all, this gave Vladimir Putin the opportunity to maintain influence in the Middle East and Africa and use this region for his own benefit.

On air at Channel 24, strategic communications specialist Yuri Bogdanov spoke about how Putin used Syria for his own needs and what will happen if the Assad regime falls.

What the fall of the Assad regime will mean for Russia

Africa and the Middle East are rich in natural and human resources that Russia could use directly. For example, in Syria, the aggressor country de facto squeezed out oil and phosphate deposits, one of the key fertilizers for agriculture.

In general, the Kremlin used Syria as its resource appendage. Syria also helped Russia logistically and communicate its presence in Africa. This was the direct power of Russia, Bogdanov said.

In addition, the Kremlin used Syria indirectly. In particular, Russia used the Syrian migration crisis, which the Kremlin created together with Assad. After all, millions of Syrians were forced to flee the war in Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Europe.

The fall of the Assad regime and the reduction of Russia's political presence will lead to Russia projecting less of its power into Africa, the Middle East and indirectly into Europe. Accordingly, Russia's economic, political and military negotiating positions will be seriously weakened, the strategic communications specialist noted.

According to him, the main reason why the Russians were unable to help Bashar al-Assad is that now all possible Russian forces are involved in the war in Ukraine. This further demonstrates to our partners, neutral countries, in particular India, and the Russians themselves that Putin lacks the strength to present his presence in several theaters of military operations.

What is Iran's situation

Iran has lost its main, more or less legitimate ally. All he has left is Hezbollah, which has been badly damaged in the war with Israel, and the Houthis, who depend on the United States being proactive against the group in Yemen.

Iran's options have also narrowed, and now additional attention will be directed not directly at its proxies, but at Tehran itself, Bogdanov added.

According to media reports, Ukraine helped the rebels overthrow the Assad regime in Syria in order to create difficulties for Russia on another front.