Putin's Syrian Gambit: Sharper Elbows, Bigger Footprint, Stickier Wicket

This publication explores Russia's decisionmaking between 2015 and 2017 concerning Syria and the Middle East, and how these decisions have affected U.S. national security interests, and will continue to affect U.S. policymaking concerning Russia, Syria, the Middle East, and the fight against terrorism.

Related items:

From Cooperation to Competition: The Future of U.S.-Russian Relations can be found here: https://bookstore.gpo.gov/products/cooperation-competition-future-us-rus...

The Turning Point for Russian Foreign Policy can be found here: https://bookstore.gpo.gov/products/turning-point-russian-foreign-policy

Russia & the Soviet Union publications can be found here: https://bookstore.gpo.gov/catalog/russia-soviet-union

Table of Contents:

Executive Summary ...........................................................................................1

Introduction........................................................................................................3

Rising Threat.......................................................................................................3

Stealthy Response ............................................................................................ 15

Fighting for Asad............................................................................................. 20

Arm Wrestling with Asad............................................................................... 22

Transformed Interests..................................................................................... 32

The Aleppo Challenge..................................................................................... 36

Astana, Geneva, and Rojava........................................................................... 45

Tomahawk Response....................................................................................... 49

Lessons Learned .............................................................................................. 53

Notes ................................................................................................................. 63

About the Author ............................................................................................ 98

This publication provides strategic studies that would benefit the Secretary of Defense, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, military leaders, the intelligence and national security community, and other government officials and policymakers.  In addition, anyone interested in the tensions and proposed U.S. policies concerning Russia, Syria, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and other key actors involved in U.S. national defense plans would enjoy this publication.