Paper
Yezid Sayigh
{
"authors": [
"Yezid Sayigh"
],
"type": "other",
"centerAffiliationAll": "dc",
"centers": [
"Carnegie Endowment for International Peace",
"Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center",
"Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center"
],
"collections": [
"Civil-Military Relations in Arab States"
],
"englishNewsletterAll": "menaTransitions",
"nonEnglishNewsletterAll": "",
"primaryCenter": "Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center",
"programAffiliation": "MEP",
"programs": [
"Middle East"
],
"projects": [],
"regions": [
"Levant",
"Syria",
"Middle East",
"Russia"
],
"topics": [
"Foreign Policy"
]
}
Source: Getty
Russian Perspectives on Syrian Military Reform
Russia faces opportunities and challenges as it seeks to restructure and reform the Syrian armed forces, which it sees as a key to concluding the civil war on terms favorable to the Assad regime, containing Iranian involvement, and winding down Russia’s combat role.
By Yezid Sayigh
Published on Mar 26, 2020
As many great powers have found when intervening to support the military of a client state, Russian expectations in Syria have not been entirely met. The lessons that Russia has learned, both positive and negative, speak to the complexity of the situation on the ground in Syria, and to the ever-shifting character of modern warfare. Russian officials keep their cards close to their chest, but this dossier explores what is known about the perceptions and perspectives they bring to the task of standing up the Syrian Arab Army.
Syrian Politics Trump Russian Military Reforms, Yezid Sayigh
The Efficiency of the Syrian Armed Forces: An Analysis of Russian Assistance, Anton Lavrov
Russia and Syrian Military Reform: Challenges and Opportunities, Alexey Khlebnikov
Russia’s Role in Reforming Syrian Special Services, Kirill Semenov
About the Author
Yezid Sayigh
Senior Fellow, Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center
Yezid Sayigh is a senior fellow at the Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center in Beirut, where he leads the program on Civil-Military Relations in Arab States (CMRAS). His work focuses on the comparative political and economic roles of Arab armed forces, the impact of war on states and societies, the politics of postconflict reconstruction and security sector transformation in Arab transitions, and authoritarian resurgence.
- Egypt’s Military Landlord Economy and its Limitations
- What Is Israel’s Plan in Lebanon?Commentary
Yezid Sayigh
Recent Work
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.
More Work from Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center
- Filling the Void as Syria’s Transitional Justice StallsCommentary
Reconciliation councils are emerging throughout the country to mediate in intracommunal disputes, many from the war years.
Natacha Danon
- Jordan’s Border Economy: Even Amid Transformation, the Drug Trade EnduresArticle
The civil war in Syria may have ended, but the country continues to serve as a source for the trafficking of illegal substances into and via Jordanian territory.
Armenak Tokmajyan, Laith Qerbaa
- A Celebration or Funeral in Iraq?Commentary
As the U.S.-led Coalition withdraws, the Kurds’ reliance on Baghdad, and on themselves, will only increase.
Wladimir van Wilgenburg
- The Israel Lobby, U.S. Foreign Policy, and Domestic LibertiesCommentary
In an interview, Ian Lustick and Eli Clifton discuss their new book on why a prominent ally has so much influence in America.
Michael Young
- Three Ruptures and the End of Pax Americana in the Middle EastCommentary
As the U.S. stumbles in its war with Iran, we are likely to see an acceleration of its disengagement from the region.
Michael Young
