Syria’s transitional government is reassessing foreign policy, prioritizing relations with Türkiye and other Arab states over Russia. The retention of Russian military bases will depend on national interests, hinting at potential changes in military agreements. The recent engagements indicate Türkiye’s rising influence while underscoring a declining Russian presence.
The Syrian transitional government asserts that its retention of Russian military bases in Tartus and Khmeimim will be contingent upon national interests, as stated by Murhaf Abu Kasra, Syria’s Defense Minister. He has highlighted significant improvements in relations with Russia, indicating a shift towards prioritizing Syrian interests in military agreements. This suggests potential revisions to Russia’s military presence, with an eye on alternative partnerships.
Syria’s new leadership appears focused on redefining foreign policy, strengthening ties with Arab nations, particularly Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar. Recent interactions indicate this trend; for instance, high-level Turkish officials have recently visited Syria, hinting at a warming relationship. These meetings have concentrated on security discussions and joint initiatives, emphasizing military collaboration as a priority.
An important meeting took place between Ahmed al-Sharaa, the leader of Syria’s transitional government, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, indicating detailed discussions on a defense pact. This agreement could enable Turkey to establish military bases in Syria and use its airspace for operations, prescribing military assistance in return. Such developments could position Türkiye as a strategic ally in regional security matters.
The simultaneous presence of Turkish and Russian military bases is likely to create significant tensions in Syria, with one power ultimately prevailing. Current dynamics suggest that Türkiye is better positioned to cement its military presence. Additionally, the new regime’s conditions for Russian bases suggest that Moscow may ultimately have to concede given their untenable demands surrounding the former Assad regime.
A changing geopolitical landscape indicates that if Russia cannot adapt to these new conditions, it may lose its military footholds in Syria to Türkiye. A newly published official map of Syria that excludes certain territories also hints at Damascus’s readiness to negotiate territorial disputes, further solidifying Turkish influence and signaling a shift in power dynamics.
This scenario underscores a transformation in Syria’s power structure away from Russian influence towards Turkish support, marking a crucial phase in international relations where interests take precedence over long-standing alliances. As Syria navigates these changes, the country seeks partnerships that can better facilitate recovery and development in the post-conflict environment.
The article discusses the evolving geopolitical landscape in Syria, particularly the shift in alliances following a change in leadership. Syria’s transitional government is focusing on foreign relations, indicating a reorientation towards Arab states and notably Türkiye. This mirrors broader strategic attempts by Syria to secure its interests through enhanced military collaboration with Türkiye while reassessing the role of Russia, which previously held significant power in the region.
In summary, Syria is undergoing a pivotal shift in its foreign policy, moving away from its reliance on Russia towards strengthening ties with Türkiye and other Arab nations. This evolution in alliances could reshape the balance of power in the region, with Türkiye potentially gaining a dominant role in Syrian affairs. The conditions set by Syria for Russian base retention indicate a hardening of national interests and strategic autonomy.
Original Source: news.az
