Russia in Syria

Russia is Greatly Expanding Its Presence in This Critical Country

With tensions rising in the Middle East, now come reports that Russia is drastically increasing its presence in Syria. According to The Blaze:

Russian forces are expanding the tarmac of a major airport in Syria’s coastal province of Latakia, a stronghold of President Bashar Assad and his minority sect, a prominent Syrian monitoring group said Sunday.

The report comes amid rising concern among U.S. officials of increased Russian military activity in Syria.

President Barack Obama cast the buildup as an effort to prop up the country’s embattled leader, warning Moscow against doubling down on Assad.

Russia, a longtime backer of Syria’s government, denies it’s trying to bolster Assad and says its increased military activity is part of the international effort to defeat the Islamic State group which has wreaked havoc in Syria and Iraq.

On Sunday, the Russian foreign minister called for the international community to include the Syrian government in efforts to fight IS.

Syria has been the center of a middle-east struggle for the last several years. Many thought the US and its allies might invade by now. With Russia building a more permanent airbase, the stakes are raised.

Invading Syria and just the Syrian army is one thing the allies could do – think Iraq. Sure, they could conquer quickly, but holding the country for any period of time would be costly in both blood and treasure.

Now, with Russia, invading Syria raises the specter of world war. Tension is high, now the stakes have gotten even higher.

What do you think? Is Russia’s move provocative or defensive? Leave a comment with your thoughts below.

 

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