Russia and Turkey’s next moves will define the Syrian war’s end
Source:The Guardian Date:29Feb2020
Somewhat less than conclusive, but good analysis of Putin’s Syria conundrum
The fog of the Syrian war has mired all its protagonists. Even as Russia and Turkey engaged deeper in Idlib, their endgames remained poorly defined. Vladimir Putin seemed determined to finish the war at all costs, using the power of his air force to compel a ceasefire and then hand over the smouldering ruins to a puppet leader whose strings are pulled by Moscow. Gas and oil interests, plus the lucre of reconstruction, would follow. After four years of blood and treasure, Russia would also secure a prominent foothold in the Middle East, a bulwark to Iran and the US, with a sea route, in the heartland of the region. Quite the prize. And a very different outcome to Washington’s disastrous war in Iraq.
For a different opinion read Will Russia, Turkey go to war over Syria’s Idlib?