Collaborating on Syria serves entire region

The Russian military move in Syria came after a series of meetings and understandings Moscow reached with several parties, including Washington.

The lack of decisiveness in the US policy, which prevailed in the foregoing phase, especially since the emergence of Daesh, created a space that needed to be filled; it imposed a policy that would counter the absence of a real vision to confront terrorism and its multiple effects.

Russia seized the opportunity to get a leading role in the coalition facing terrorism.

Despite the criticism of Moscow’s move in Syria, levelled by some, everyone agrees on the need to combat terrorism, only differing on some details regarding the political transition in Syria, especially the role of President Bashar Assad. 

Therefore, it is possible to criticise the Russian military operations in Syria, but it is difficult to disapprove Russia’s role in facing the rampant terrorism in the region, specifically when everyone is still questioning the success of the coalition’s air strikes against Daesh over the past year.

In contrast, the Russian move appears to be effective; many security reports point that Moscow has achieved its target successfully in the first days of air strikes, with many observers noting the high performance and accurateness of Iraqi and Syrian forces associated with the Russians in joint operations, like the most recent carried out by the Iraqi army that narrowly missed Daesh leader Abu Bakr Al Baghdadi.

Moscow’s direct involvement in the war against terrorism in Syria is a practical application of the theoretical views President Vladimir Putin holds regarding the formation of the alliance to confront terrorism.

The Russian move is a catalyst for many hardliners to change their attitudes about the Syrian crisis.

That said, major challenges have emerged before some of the countries that directly or indirectly joined the coalition. 

Egypt, Jordan and some Gulf countries had to deal persuasively with the current developments. 

Jordan, for example, may feel compelled to coordinate with this alliance, directing Russian strikes in the southern regions of Syria.

The issue is not a war between two alliances (Russia and the United States), but the details in the coming period of transition. 

Collaboration in this phase and in the future serves Syria practically; a sustainable solution for Syria will serve the entire region.

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