Russia Prepares for a Syria Without Assad

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In The Media

Russia Prepares for a Syria Without Assad

Although Russia seeks to remain the critical broker between Bashar al-Assad and the Syrian opposition, its stance on Syria is beginning to shift as the prospects for Assad's long-term rule diminish.

By Matthew Rojansky

Published on Mar 24, 2012

Source: BBC World News

In an interview with BBC World News, Carnegie’s Matthew Rojansky argued that Russia’s stance on Syria is beginning to shift as the prospects for Assad’s long-term rule diminish. “Russia is going to want to craft a kind of balanced solution that maintains their interests” both now and in a post-Assad scenario, he added.

Moscow’s priority is to ensure that “Russia remains pivotal in the solution” and continues to serve as the “critical broker” between Assad and the opposition, Rojansky explained. In the end, Russia’s leverage “depends on Assad’s belief that Russia is his best friend” and will remain a “back channel” of support, Rojansky concluded.

About the Author

Matthew Rojansky

Former Deputy Director, Russia and Eurasia Program

Rojansky, formerly executive director of the Partnership for a Secure America, is an expert on U.S. and Russian national security and nuclear-weapon policies.

Recent Work

Paper
An Opportunity for Ambition: Ukraine’s OSCE Chairmanship
- Matthew Rojansky
In The Media
Presiding Over the OSCE: Challenges and Opportunities
- Matthew Rojansky

Foreign Policy Middle East Syria Caucasus Russia Levant

Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

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