Russia’s Position on Syria

{
  "authors": [
    "Andrew S. Weiss"
  ],
  "type": "legacyinthemedia",
  "centerAffiliationAll": "dc",
  "centers": [
    "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace",
    "Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center",
    "Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center"
  ],
  "collections": [],
  "englishNewsletterAll": "ctw",
  "nonEnglishNewsletterAll": "",
  "primaryCenter": "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace",
  "programAffiliation": "russia",
  "programs": [
    "Russia and Eurasia"
  ],
  "projects": [
    "Eurasia in Transition"
  ],
  "regions": [
    "North America",
    "United States",
    "Middle East",
    "Syria",
    "Russia",
    "Levant"
  ],
  "topics": [
    "Political Reform",
    "Security",
    "Foreign Policy",
    "Global Governance"
  ]
}

In The Media

Russia’s Position on Syria

Russia’s position on Syria is based in large part on Moscow’s concerns about the political repercussions of intervention. At the G20 Summit, Vladimir Putin attempted to create a de facto referendum on intervention.

By Andrew S. Weiss

Published on Sep 6, 2013

Source: WBEZ’s Worldview

Speaking on WBEZ Worldwide, Carnegie’s Andrew Weiss explained that Russia’s position on Syrian intervention has several origins: worries about the precedent created by a possible U.S. intervention, Russia’s greater sympathy for Shia Muslims, and concerns about Syria’s possible collapse and the shockwaves such an event would create. He explained that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s placing of Syria on the agenda at the G20 Summit was an attempt to create a referendum on Syrian intervention, much like the one carried out in the British parliament. Weiss cast doubt on the idea that the United States’ possible failure to intervene in Syria would be a major win for Putin, noting that foreign policy issues have a low salience in Russian society.

This interview was originally broadcast on WBEZ Worldwide.

About the Author

Andrew S. Weiss

James Family Chair, Vice President for Studies

Andrew S. Weiss is the James Family Chair and vice president for studies at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, where he oversees research on Russia, Ukraine, and Eurasia. His graphic novel biography of Vladimir Putin, Accidental Czar: the Life and Lies of Vladimir Putin, was published by First Second/Macmillan in 2022.

Recent Work

Q&A
Is the Russia-Ukraine War Vibe Shift Real?
- Dara Massicot, Aaron David Miller, Andrew S. Weiss
Research
Russia in Africa: Examining Moscow’s Influence and Its Limits
- +11
  Frances Z. Brown, Nate Reynolds, Priyal Singh, …

Political Reform Security Foreign Policy Global Governance North America United States Middle East Syria 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.

More Work from Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Commentary
Carnegie Politika
Price Analysis Shows China Holds Upper Hand in Russia Gas Supply Talks
A leak of Russian gas price data helps establish that China is paying Russia far less than Central Asian countries and Gazprom’s former European customers.
Sergey Vakulenko
Commentary
The Spring and Autumn of Chinese Politics
China’s political future will be shaped between now and next October. As the Communist Party enters its intense “campaign season” to prepare for a major political transition in 2027, reading Beijing's actions and responses may become more difficult as domestic politics weigh on its behavior more than usual.
Damien Ma
Commentary
Strategic Europe
Europe Needs its own Sanctions-Enforcement Muscle
The EU can impose sanctions but struggles to enforce them without the United States. With Washington increasingly disinterested in backing European interests, the bloc must now fend for itself.
Nicu Popescu, Tiago Antunes
Article
Africa in Demand: How the Continent Is Advancing Its Interests in a Competitive World
Global and rising powers will need to engage with Africa’s priorities and agency in order to secure the continent’s increasingly attractive partnerships.
Fonteh Akum
Commentary
Emissary
Central Asia Wants U.S. Investments. It Is Less Sure About U.S. Conditions.
Rubio’s recent visit brought welcome attention, but more capital requires governance changes that may be a hard sell for regional governments.
Jennifer B. Murtazashvili

More Work from Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Commentary

Carnegie Politika

Price Analysis Shows China Holds Upper Hand in Russia Gas Supply Talks

A leak of Russian gas price data helps establish that China is paying Russia far less than Central Asian countries and Gazprom’s former European customers.

Sergey Vakulenko

Commentary

The Spring and Autumn of Chinese Politics

China’s political future will be shaped between now and next October. As the Communist Party enters its intense “campaign season” to prepare for a major political transition in 2027, reading Beijing's actions and responses may become more difficult as domestic politics weigh on its behavior more than usual.

Damien Ma

Commentary

Strategic Europe

Europe Needs its own Sanctions-Enforcement Muscle

The EU can impose sanctions but struggles to enforce them without the United States. With Washington increasingly disinterested in backing European interests, the bloc must now fend for itself.

Nicu Popescu, Tiago Antunes

African finance ministers sit in front of a blue IMF-WB screen.

Article

Africa in Demand: How the Continent Is Advancing Its Interests in a Competitive World

Global and rising powers will need to engage with Africa’s priorities and agency in order to secure the continent’s increasingly attractive partnerships.

Fonteh Akum

Commentary

Emissary

Central Asia Wants U.S. Investments. It Is Less Sure About U.S. Conditions.

Rubio’s recent visit brought welcome attention, but more capital requires governance changes that may be a hard sell for regional governments.

Jennifer B. Murtazashvili