Russia has a strategic interest in a future Syrian constitution that emphasizes secularism and respect for minority rights.
After investing so much in the preservation of the Syrian government, Moscow will look to reap rewards. Russia will seek greater leverage over Syria’s political future, and one way this could be achieved is by influencing a constitutional committee sympathetic to Moscow’s concerns.
Russia has previously wanted Syria to adopt a new constitution that would reduce some of Assad’s powers and impose limits on his presidential term. Assad will probably reject Russia’s suggestions and this may complicate bilateral Syrian-Russian ties.
Michael Sharnoff, PhD 