Russian President Vladimir Putin has suffered a significant setback in his Syrian campaign, with the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime threatening key military installations. Russia’s naval base in Syria and an airfield used for African operations are now at risk of being lost, dealing a blow to Moscow’s efforts to rebuild its Cold War-era influence.
The Kremlin is scrambling to respond by seeking talks with the new Syrian leaders, but this move is seen as a sign of weakness rather than strength. Putin’s decision to grant asylum to Assad in Moscow was intended to bolster his own authority and demonstrate Russia’s commitment to supporting its allies, but it has ultimately failed to stem the tide.
As Russia’s attention becomes increasingly focused on its invasion of Ukraine, the Syrian base loss further undermines Moscow’s global ambitions. The fall of Syria marks a personal defeat for Putin and raises questions about the effectiveness of Russia’s military strategy in the Middle East.
Source: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-12-09/putin-s-syria-setback-threatens-key-russian-military-bases