Russia & China

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When the Syrian Civil War began four years ago the Syrian government lost many of its political contacts all over the world but there was one ally who decided to stick by them; Russia. Russia has been a close ally to the Syrian government for many years now and because of this, Syria wants them to expand their influence around the Middle East. In an article by AlMonitor, “Syria Keen on Russian Expansion in Middle East” by Ziad Haidar (translated by Joelle El-Khoury) it states how the Syrian Government wants Moscow to expand their influence within the Middle East as the United States (U.S.) and its allies begin to expand as well. This also comes as fighting increases in Yemen and throughout the Middle East.

While Russia attempt to expand their influence throughout the Middle East, Tunisia also plans to renew their ties with the Syrian government. In an article posted by Reuters, “Tunisia Says Plans to Renew Ties with Syria to Help Track Fighters” reported by Tarek Amara, writen by Patrick Markey and edited by Raissa Kasolowsky in states that Tunisia is considering renewing ties with Syria due to the increasing threat of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) around the Middle East. Tunisia wishes to renew its ties so that it can keep up with the insurgent fighters within Syria that threaten the rest of the Middle East but Tunisia says that these ties will not be very complex and may or may not include embassies in Syria.

Violence within the Middle East continues to increase especially with the continuing rise of the Islamic State. This violence is seen throughout the whole world and it could potentially affect other players not in or near the Middle East. Russia has always been an important stakeholder in the affairs of the Middle East due to its close ties to Syria but if they decide to expand their influence furthermore then it could cause more problems than fix them due to the many stakeholders that are in this conflict. Many argue that it could even lead to another Cold War especially if Syria begins to renew its ties within the Middle East and possibly even the world.

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In an article by BBC titled “Syria Crisis: Russia and China Step Up Warning Over Strike” it details how Russia and China feel about the U.S. lead strike against Syria in 2013 after there were reports of the Syrian government using chemical weapons. The U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry defined this attack as  defying  “any code of morality” and those responsibly should be held accountable. As the U.S. and its allies geared up for an attack, China and Russia, long standing allies of the Syrian government, warned them of the potential outbreak of violence it could cause as well as unrest among the Middle East.

In related news, Reuters recently published an article, “Syria Gets Russian Arms Under Deals Signed Since Conflict Began: Assad” which was reported by Gabriela Baczynska and Darya Korsunskaya, edited by Timothy Heritage. In this article, President of Syria, Assad, claims that Syria and Russia had arms deal long before the civil war began and they were simply continuing this deal when the conflict started. Moscow confirms this stating that it is not supporting Syria anymore than it was before.

The first article shows how Russia and China have made little changes in their stance within the Syrian conflict. They still align themselves with the Syrian government and against most Western powers. The second article shows that Russia is the country with the most at stake with the Syrian conflict which gives them a little more to worry about when peace talks come to be scheduled. In my opinion, Russia is a political realists in the sense that they know what is at stake and they know their limit.

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The Islamic State of Syria and Iraq (ISIS) has never had any trouble finding foreign fighters to assist them in their battle for control over Syria and Iraq but recently they have gone to a new level. In an article published in Reuters by Michelle Nichols called “U.N. concerned by Islamic State’s ability to unite Afghan insurgents,” Nichols states that the Islamic State has a unique ability to unite Afghan insurgents. Despite some tensions between ISIS and the Taliban, there have been many Taliban fighters who have joined the Islamic State. Nichols states that the two groups join not so much because they believe in what the Islamic State stands for but because it can be a “potential to offer an alternative flagpole to which otherwise isolated insurgent splinter groups can rally.” Because these Taliban fighters are willing to join ISIS, and make them even stronger, the Afghanistan government is willing to open peace talks with them.

Russia has also attempted to hold peace talks with most of those involved in the Syrian conflict but it has been in vain. In fact, according to a WashingtonTimes article by Anne R. Pierce titled “Beware ISIS strategy that fortifies Russia, Iran, and Syria,” ISIS, Russia, Iran and Syria are allies in this conflict and so peace talks seem hypocritical to a point. In many cases, there are people who believe ISIS is only assisting these three countries advance their own agendas. This includes “allowing Assad to stay in power, legitimizing Russian-sponsored “peace conferences” that buy Assad time and raise Putin’s stature, accommodating the Iranian nuclear program, and giving Iran the lead in the battle against ISIS and in the Levant.” 

As stated before, ISIS has never had a problem recruiting fighters but the difference this time is that these are semi-trained fighters who have been in a war before (for the most part). This means that the Islamic State is even stronger than ever but what makes it even stronger is its close allies. These allies which include Russia, Iran, and Syria (mainly Assad’s regime) have been using ISIS to pursue their own agenda and so the growing power of ISIS only means more power and control for themselves.

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Russia and Syria have been close to each other for a very long time but recently Russia has been expanding its alliances in the Middle East to include Egypt. Egypt has had a problem with terrorism for many years now and in order to combat it, it has aligned itself with Russia. In a recent article by Reuters, “Russia’s Putin, Egypt’s Sisi Say Committed to Fight Terrorism,” written by Yara Bayoumy, she states that Egypt’s Sis sees Russia as a “strategic friend.” With this new alliance, Russia will assist Egypt in its operations to combat terrorism. This also includes combating terrorism throughout the Middle East especially when it comes to Syria and its internal war. Russia, along with Egypt, is expecting “a new round of talks” pertaining to the Syrian conflicts.

In another article on Al-Monitor, “UN, Russia Take Lead in Syria Diplomacy,” written by Week in Review, Russia is said to take the lead, along with the United Nations, on the Syrian peace talks. Russia did recently attempt to hold peace talks in Moscow and while many of the stakeholders attended, the most important group from Syria did not attend. The absence of this group put a major dent in the peace negotiations and Russia, the UN, and other countries, agreed that in order for peace negotiations to succeed and last, this group must be present at the negotiations. While the United States continues to stay out of these specific talks, Turkey has taken a new interest in them and they have pushed for a new law that would help ease the crisis in Syria.

Thes new alliances and roles show a change in the Syrian conflict. It shows that more and more countries are willing, and very much want to, discuss peace. Even countries such as Turkey, who tended to stay out of the conflict, are coming closer to the issue and many suggest that there are many countries that are vital when it comes to talking peace. The Syrian issue affects many around the world and peace talks need to involve all of the stakeholders in order for them to succeed.

This shows the flow of foreign fighters to Syria. (Click the picture to access my Diigo account)

The month of February is usually associated with love and compassion but that is not the case in Syria where fighting between the Syrian government, and rebel groups continue. While these two groups may not be getting along, there has been some collaboration between the rebel groups in Syria and foreign fighters from all over the world. According to an article by Reuters, reported by Mark Hosenball and editing by David Storey and Andrew Hay, it is estimated that “20,000 foreign fighters from more than 90 countries have gone to Syria.” These fighters have joined the rebel groups, for the most part, in their effort to remove the Syrian government currently in command. While most of these foreign fighters stay to fight, there have been instances of abandonment.

These instances are not treated lightly by the rebel groups and often end in cruel punishments. Most recently, these rebel groups ‘killed three Chinese militants who joined its ranks in Syria and Iraq and later attempted to flee,” according to an article by Reuters, reported by Michael Martina and Sui-Lee Wee and editing by Clarence Fernandez. This event has lead China to express concern about the rise of the rebel groups in Syria but they have yet to shown any sign of wanting to take part in the U.S.-led coalition effort to use military force against the rebel groups. These three Chinese militants were a few of hundreds of Chinese militants who flocked to Syria in order to fight along side the rebel groups.

Collaboration between different ethnic groups is quite common in this day and age where people from all over the world can meet and work together, but it is a bit unusual to see it in this context. These foreign fighters are only adding to the bled shed in Syria and allowing for the fighting to continue. While the foreign fighters allow for fighting to continue in Syria, the execution of the three Chinese militants may bring other groups into the action. For now China has chosen not to pursue any military action, but with thousands of other foreign fighters in Syria who is to say the next fighters who are executed will not bring other nations into this war. The war in Syria will stay within its borders for now, but it cannot be certain as to wether or not in will stay that way for long.

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin (L) is greeted by his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping before the opening ceremony of the fourth Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) summit in Shanghai, May 21, 2014. (photo by REUTERS/Mark Ralston)

Conflicts in the Middle East have recently been escalating and with the recent vetoing by China and Russia for a resolution to Syrian conflicts, it raises the question; why is China and Russia protecting, in a sense, the current Syrian government? In an article posted by Holly Yan on August 29, 2013 on CNN’s website, which can also be found on my Diigo account, titled, “Syria allies: Why Russia, Iran and China are standing by the regime” Yan examines just this. While there are many reasons to why every country is standing by the regime such as Russia’s ideologies, which could be threatened if the Syrian government fails, Iran’s strategy as Syria being a Shiite government and thus more supportive of Iran, or China’s trading which goes back to the silk road.

Another article by Vitaly Naumkin titled, “Putin brings China into Middle Eastern strategy” highlights more specific reasons as to why Russia and China are involved in Syrian conflicts. China again goes back to trading relations. They see Syria as  a part of one of China’s main strategic regional projects. The economic region (or belt) of the 21st century Great Silk Road and the Maritime Silk Road, which intends to create a wide area of Chinese economic presence from China’s western borders to Europe. Russia on the other hand would prefer Syria’s current government to stay in power so that Western Power’s do not influence Syria to their ways of democracy which will of course harm Russia’s government and leave them with even less allies.

All of these reasons, China’s silk road and Russia’s anti-demotractic stance, came into play when both China and Russia veto’d the most current resolution to Syrian conflicts which would allow the U.N. (United Nations) to convict war criminals in Syria. The Syrian conflicts continue with China and Russia sticking close by.