Michael Scollon and Frud Bezhan
When Vladimir Putin took the reins of power in a post-Soviet Russia in shambles a quarter-century ago, he immediately set about restoring Moscow’s status as a global power.
It took 15 years, but Russia heralded its military intervention in the Syrian civil waras proof of its return as a force to be reckoned with on the international stage.
Moscow leveraged that image to expand its influence throughout the Middle East and beyond as a counterweight to the West.
Now, the fall of the government of President Bashar al-Assad, a key ally of Moscow, has dealt a serious blow to Russia’s great-power ambitions.
“Putin’s military adventure in Syria was designed to demonstrate that Russia is a great power and can project its influence abroad,” said Phillip Smyth, a Middle East expert. “Losing Syria is a huge slap in the face for Putin.”
Assad’s ouster represents not only a reputational hit to Russia but likely a major strategic setback.
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