Turkey is backing rebel fighters in Syria REUTERS
Unlike Western interventions in Afghanistan and Iraq, the Russians had a clear vision of what they wanted to do in Syria and were willing to be single-minded enough (some might say brutal enough) to achieve it.
So now with Syrian and Turkish forces in direct confrontation, where else can President Erdogan go to try to broker some kind of ceasefire in Idlib?
Syria is a “sampler” of Russian policy if you like, a demonstration that Moscow keeps its word and is a reliable partner. Russia’s foothold in Syria is a foothold in the wider region.
The evidence of this resurgent Russia is widespread. Mr Putin has an important hand in the Libya crisis, backing General Haftar’s forces against the internationally recognised government.
Russia also remains a key prop of the Venezuelan regime. And closer to home it continues to play the pocket superpower in its own “near abroad”, resolutely pursuing its own interests in Georgia and Ukraine.
There is a vacuum of leadership in the West. President Trump has no real interest in geopolitics and his administration is, to say the least, deeply ambivalent towards Russia.
“Just what had Russia done in terms of moderating its behaviour – intrusions into election campaigns; social media activity; the use of chemical weapons on foreign soil; cyber attacks and so on – to merit a re-engagement?” asked one participant.
Turkey has an immediate and pressing need to talk to the Russians.
But barring any fundamental shift on the part of Mr Putin – and many analysts see his antipathy towards the West as part of his broader effort to mobilise support and to retain power – there is unlikely to be any broader rapprochement between Russia and the West, at least for now.
Navy Vet
Article URL : https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-51733595