Syria’s Shift: Seeking Putin’s Support Over US and Saudi Arabia

A significant shift is underway in Syria’s foreign policy following the formation of a new government. President Ahmed Al-Shara is no longer seeking assistance from the United States or Saudi Arabia. Instead, he has turned to Russia to navigate the current challenges. According to a report in the Russian newspaper Kommersant, Syrian Foreign Minister Asad Al-Shabaani met with the Syrian community in Moscow on August 1st. During the meeting, he revealed that Damascus had requested Russia to reinstate military police patrols near the Israeli border. Syria believes that the return of Russian military police to the Golan Heights buffer zone could significantly curb Israeli interference. The new government is confident that Russia will not only maintain stability in the border areas but also keep open channels of communication between Syria and Israel. This move is seen as a way for Syria to ensure not only its security but also to maintain diplomatic balance. Russian military police were present in the buffer zone for many years, tasked with preventing conflicts and stabilizing the situation under international agreements. However, about nine months ago, after the fall of the former President Bashar al-Assad’s government, Russia withdrew its military police from these areas. Since then, Israeli activities in the border areas have increased, raising concerns for the new Syrian government. Ongoing discussions are taking place between the new government and Russia, including talks about the Russian presence at strategic locations like Tartus and Latakia. These discussions are not solely focused on border security but also aim to establish Russia as a long-term partner in Syria. According to the Kommersant report, this request sends a clear message to Israel that the new government does not accept its continuous presence on Syrian soil. However, there is room for a settlement with Russia, as the new government views it as crucial for regional stability and a balance of power.