Russia’s move to deepen its involvement in the Syrian conflict may have more to do with a long-term strategy of widening its influence than its stated goal of helping the Assad regime fight militants, say analysts studying the crisis.
“The Russians are interested in several things in Syria,” said Christopher Kozak of the Institute for the Study of War. He said its airstrikes, which entered a second day Thursday, allow Moscow to achieve multiple goals at once.
Kozak said Russia’s more aggressive stance in Syria gives it “leverage” against the U.S. and its anti-Islamic State coalition that has been fighting militants in …read more
Source: Voice of America
