Category: Syria

Russia, Syria

Why Russia will Prevail in Syria [Interview]

Michael Sharnoff
putin-2847423_960_720The US does not have a coherent strategy in Syria. At times Washington has advocated different agendas such as humanitarian relief, Assad’s resignation, and the defeat of Islamic State. Russia, on the other hand, has always had a clear and consistent strategy:  defending its ally, Assad. In 2015, Russia deployed military force in support of the government which has ensured that the Western-backed opposition in Syria would be defeated.

Assad is here to stay and Russian influence has prevailed.

Read the full interview with the Lebanese daily An-Nahar [Arabic] Newspaper.

Syria

Terra Incognita Interview

Michael Sharnoff

My interview on the situation in Syria with the Greek-based program Terra Incognita.

Syria

The Syrian Morality Test

Michael Sharnoff

Published in the Huffington Post on Aug. 16, 2012.

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), which comprises 57 nations and represents Muslims worldwide, has agreed to suspend Syria’s membership for the extreme brutality of Bashar Assad’s regime. Iran, Syria’s sole Middle Eastern ally, rejects the decision. Continue reading “The Syrian Morality Test” →

Syria

Dajani: The George Washington of Syria

Michael Sharnoff

Amjad Dajani writes in a guest column for Levantine Routes

It is without a doubt that we are witnessing history repeat itself. A career military man has rebelled against an army he previously served and founded an army of ragtag revolutionaries to fight against despotism. No, this not a re-telling of George Washington’s revolutionary career against the British but a telling of Riyad al-Assad’s revolt against the Ba’athist Army in Syria. Continue reading “Dajani: The George Washington of Syria” →

Syria

Assad’s Fate

Michael Sharnoff

Nick Ottens, a Dutch journalist and analyst at the geopolitical consulting firm Wikistrat, has a new piece in the Atlantic Sentinel in which he examines prospects for Assad’s survival and if he will seek refuge in an Alawite enclave in northwest Syria.

Apart from his own analysis, Ottens includes insights from other Middle East specialists including yours truly.

Syria

Olmert: Aleppo and the Future of Syria

Michael Sharnoff

Josef Olmert writes in a guest column for Levantine Routes

The battle for Aleppo, Syria’s second largest city, is not “the decisive last battle” of the Syrian civil war.  The conflict is clearly leading to the removal of the current leadership from Damascus, as well as Aleppo, but not necessarily from Syria.  The Assad-Alawite –Ba’th regime is preparing the mountainous Alawite region of North-West Syria to be their last bastion, and they can fortify themselves there for a while, even if, as seems inevitable, they will lose control of the main Sunni-dominated regions. Continue reading “Olmert: Aleppo and the Future of Syria” →

Syria

The Rebels in Post-Assad Syria

Michael Sharnoff

syria-2702724_960_720

Published in Wikistrat on Aug. 3, 2012.

Syrian dictator Bashar Assad has been away from the public eye since a spectacular suicide bombing attack rocked Damascus, killing the defense minister and other key officials. Unconfirmed reports stated Assad has fled the capital; either to his Alawite stronghold in Latakia or to his erstwhile ally Russia. His whereabouts have become the case of further speculation after he praised his troops not in a public address or even a pre-audio recording, but in the magazine of the armed forces. Continue reading “The Rebels in Post-Assad Syria” →

Syria

Expect More Violence, Not Democracy Transition, In Post-Assad Syria

Michael Sharnoff
(Photo: Paul Grover)

When I wrote in a previous post that Assad may deploy chemical weapons against the Syrian opposition in revenge for the July 18 bombing in Damascus, it is equally important to emphasize this type of violence could also occur in a post-Assad Syria. Continue reading “Expect More Violence, Not Democracy Transition, In Post-Assad Syria” →