Syria ceasefire plan reflects growing Russian influence, says City academic
Dr Amnon Aran provides analysis in BBC interview
The arrangement of a ceasefire in Syria reflects
the growing influence of Russia in the Middle East country’s civil war,
according to City’s Dr Amnon Aran.
The academic, a Senior Lecturer in the Department of
International Politics, discussed the issue in a television interview with BBC
News (1:00:10).
Asked if he believed the ceasefire could make a difference,
Dr Aran suggested the proposal benefitted Russian interests and the Syrian government
led by Bashar al-Assad.
“This ceasefire really reflects a deeper trend,” he said. “Up
until now, the Syrian conflict was in a political stalemate, especially because
of the military stalemate that underlined it.
“However, since the most recent Russian intervention there
has been a clear military shift towards the Assad regime, backed by Russia.
And, therefore, this ceasefire document seems to me to favour Russia and the
Assad government in its attempt to suppress the opposition and defeat it.”
Dr Aran also discussed the question of whether it was
possible for the ceasefire to be implemented successfully.
He said: “I think that it very much depends on two things –
[firstly], how weak militarily the opposition to the Assad regime has become.
If they have become too weak to fight, then perhaps they will lay down their
arms temporarily.
“And secondly, [it depends on] the degree to which the Assad
regime and the Russians will continue their offensive, especially in the area
of Aleppo, because the wording [of the ceasefire document] – that attacks
against so-called, or not so-called, terrorist groups can continue – really
leaves a very wide remit for military attacks to continue.
“So, it very much depends on how the Russians and the Assad
government decide to interpret that particular clause.”
On the question of why Russia had supported the ceasefire,
Dr Aran explained it represented the nation’s increasing efforts to influence
diplomacy in the region, in addition to its military involvement.
He said: “It seems to me that this is the continuation of a
trend that has been going on for some time, whereby Russia has been asserting
itself within the Syrian conflict as the main external player – together of
course with the Assad regime and Iran and Hezbollah – and the west, especially
of course the United States, keeping a distance, with the exception of the
bombing of ISIS.
“So this is very much a continuation of the growing Russian
influence in this conflict, militarily, and of course now reflected
diplomatically.”
Image: BBC iPlayer