ASSESSMENTS

Here's What the New U.S. Strategy in Syria Means For Russia

Sep 11, 2018 | 14:41 GMT

A Russian Sukhoi Su-34 fighter drops bombs over the Syrian village of Kafr Ain in the southern countryside of Idlib province on Sept. 7.

A Russian Sukhoi Su-34 fighter drops bombs over the Syrian village of Kafr Ain in the southern countryside of Idlib province on Sept. 7. The United States' shifts in its policy on Syria could create friction with Russia.

(ANAS AL-DYAB/AFP/Getty Images)

Highlights

  • The United States is expanding its goal in Syria to include the full withdrawal of Iranian forces from Syria and the replacement of the current government in Damascus.
  • A more assertive U.S. approach to the Syrian government and the Iranian presence in Syria is bound to lead to more friction between Moscow and Washington.
  • Concerns about possible chemical weapons and refugees involved in an offensive in Idlib further limit the potential for the United States and Russia to reach an understanding.

The United States is once again changing its strategy in Syria. Only months ago, the country signaled that it was looking for an exit from the conflict once it had accomplished its main goal of severely degrading the abilities of the Islamic State. That prospect caused concern among its local partners in the Syrian Democratic Forces, who began to ramp up their overtures to the Syrian government as a fallback option in case of a U.S. departure. But according to new U.S. Special Representative for Syria Engagement James Jeffrey, the United States is now on course for a more indefinite mission. President Donald Trump reportedly agreed not to push for a U.S. exit and instead signed off on a concerted diplomatic and military effort in Syria extending beyond the counterterrorism mission. And the shift in focus is likely to complicate Russia's plans in the region....

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