Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered a partial withdrawal of troops from Syria. The Washington Post reports that approximately 1,000 Russian troops will remain in Syria to protect two Russian bases, but that the bulk of Russia’s forces will be leaving. Additionally, the Russian bombing campaign also appears to be coming to an end. This move has made many observers optimistic about the current round of U.N.-led peace talks between the factions in Syria, as Russia was the primary military backer for Syrian President Bashar Assad. Some analysts view the decision to withdraw as an attempt by Putin to act as a peacemaker while still ensuring that Assad stays in power.
Access all of The Cipher Brief’s national security-focused expert insight by becoming a Cipher Brief Subscriber+
Member.
Related Articles
The Math of Moscow’s War: Five Thousand Kilometers, One Million Dead and Wounded
OPINION -- “Since January 2024, Russian forces have seized approximately 5,000 square kilometers [1,931 square miles] of additional Ukrainian [...] More
It’s Time to Show Putin that the U.S. is Serious
OPINION / EXPERT PERSPECTIVE – As we reach a temporary ceasefire in diplomatic progress aimed at ending the war in Ukraine - a war that has cost the [...] More
Ordinary Russians are Paying for Putin's Poor Alaska Performance
OPINION / EXPERT PERSPECTIVE – The Russian state media's triumphant coverage of Vladimir Putin's August 15 meeting with Donald Trump in Alaska tells [...] More
Ex-Spy Warns of Case Officer Tactics in Trump-Putin Dynamic
EXPERT Q&A – After Friday’s meeting in Alaska between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, former CIA senior officer and [...] More
