Syria’s Strategic Pivot: Why Al-Shara is Cultivating Ties with Putin

The Syrian government is witnessing a major realignment in its international relations. President Ahmed Al-Shara is prioritizing engagement with Russia, rather than seeking support from the United States or Saudi Arabia. This shift in focus has been highlighted by recent developments. As reported by Kommersant, Syrian Foreign Minister Asad Al-Shabaani, during a meeting with the Syrian diaspora in Moscow, disclosed that the Syrian government had requested Russia to resume military police patrols along the border with Israel. The rationale behind Syria’s approach is multifaceted. It is believed that the deployment of Russian military police in the Golan Heights buffer zone could mitigate Israeli influence in the area. The Syrian leadership hopes that Russia will not only contribute to stability in the border regions but also facilitate communication with Israel. This is viewed as a critical step for Syria’s security and diplomatic maneuvering. The previous presence of Russian military police in the buffer zone, which was intended to prevent conflict and maintain the status quo, ended approximately nine months prior to the fall of the Assad government. This withdrawal has been associated with an increase in Israeli activities in the border region, fueling the current Syrian government’s concerns. High-level discussions between the Syrian government and Russia are currently underway, focusing on issues like Russia’s military presence in strategic locations. These discussions are not limited to border security. They are also intended to solidify Russia’s role as a long-term ally of Syria. The Syrian government’s request for the re-establishment of the Russian military police presence is considered a signal to Israel about the new government’s stance on its presence in Syrian territory. It also hints at the possibility of negotiations with Russia, which the new government views as essential for maintaining regional stability and power balance.