To the victor the spoils, seems to be a good summation of Russia's management of the Syria crisis. Inaction, at times, is more effective than action.
Long gone are the days following the 1987 dissolution of Russia's outland empire, with satellite countries that stretched from one ocean to the other, when the country retreated in shame and chaos from the global spotlight.
These days, people are taking lessons from Putin's management of its foreign policy.
Although Syria's, or at least the Assad's regime's, advantage was bolstered by the billions that Russia has poured into it for decades, the new developments speak more of standing its own ground than all out intervention on the part of Russia.
While all the Western powers, and Syria's powerful neighbors are scurrying to Putin's court to talk about ending or finding a solution to Syria's bloody conflict, all Russia has to do is to keep doing nothing, and changing nothing for Syria's regime to win. And with that win, there is also a win for Iran, who is definitely active in the conflict both by supplying specific and well trained troops, and weapons.
How has Russia managed all this? By making Iran a nuclear power, and supplying it with both technology and weapons by the boatload. With Iran becoming stronger every day, the balance in the Middle East shifts with the force of tectonic plates clashing against each other.
The US, in the throes of political strife at home, and economic restraints, has been unwilling to enter the fray. That might be a good thing, considering that Russia is not about to let go of its foothold in the Middle East. Europe is not faring much better. Although the conflict is at its doorstep, the EU is mired in economic problems and social unrest.
All that leaves Russia an open field. In fact, it seems almost too easy, and it is.
Some contend that if the West finally decides to step into the conflict, either with Syria or Iran, that it will at that point retract its toes from the region. But that is old school thinking in many ways. Russia is now in a position to reclaim some of its lost glory and power. Who is to say that it will not be able to rally support from its allies, or just decide to stand its ground? After all access to the sea is very important for Russia.
One thing is for sure: Russia is no longer a factor to be ignored. It now has almost all world powers and neighboring countries knocking politely at its door.
Partial Source : CNN/ 6.10.13
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