So why is Russia bent on backing back a blood-soaked, isolated regime? Why does Russia support Syria and Bashar al-Assad and who else is involved in the Syrian Civil War? While Russia’s strategy in Syria has brought tangible dividends, ... Empire’s Little Helper. The latter marked the first time since the end of the Cold War that Russia entered an armed conflict outside the borders of the former Soviet Union.

5. Russia has supported the incumbent Bashar al-Assad government of Syria since the beginning of the Syrian conflict in 2011: politically, with military aid, and since September 2015 through direct military involvement. It thinks that with help from Russia, Iran and China, the Syrian leader has a chance of prevailing over his opponents. Welcome to the Post-Leader World. The usual explanations are that Syria buys lots of Russian arms and that the Syrian port of Tartus is an important "base" for Russia's Mediterranean Fleet. Both theories are simplistic. Syria's complex and devastating civil war has drawn in multiple foreign powers since it broke out in 2011. 15 June 2012. Crises Only Sometimes Lead to Change. Here’s Why. Russia is not returning to the Middle East: Syria was a Soviet ally during the Cold War and so it was very logical for Bashar al-Assad to ask for Russia’s help. Yes, Russia does sell lot of arms -- $15 billion worth in 2012.

Why Russia is standing by Syria's Assad.

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