SIDESTEPPING A QUAGMIRE: RUSSIA, SYRIA, AND THE LESSONS OF THE SOVIET-AFGHAN WAR. Issue 1 (2nd January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sullivan, Charles J.
• Is Part Of: Asian affairs. Volume 49:Issue 1(2018)
• Page Start: 48
• Page End: 55
• Publication Date: 2018-01-02
• Subjects: Counterinsurgency -- Russia -- Syrian Civil War -- Soviet-Afghan War -- Protracted Conflict -- Assad; Asia -- Periodicals; 950.05
• DOI: 10.1080/03068374.2018.1416011
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-8374

Abstract

Abstract : Russia's military intervention in Syria (2015-present) has ensured the Assad regime's survival to date. Why though has Russia succeeded in achieving its objective? This article provides an analysis of Russia's involvement in the Syrian civil war in comparison to the Soviet Union's military debacle in Afghanistan (1979-89). Accordingly, by avoiding the USSR's mistakes in Afghanistan, this article posits that Russia has not become entangled in a protracted conflict in Syria. In Syria, Russia has militarily intervened to buttress the Assad regime, not to reorganize the host government's leadership and assume control over the war effort. Meanwhile, Syrian opposition forces lack concerted international support and Russia has allies that are assisting the embattled Syrian government. Lastly, Russia intends to 'freeze' the Syrian civil war in place by (i) pressuring opposition forces to submit and other countries to re-embrace Damascus in a diplomatic forum, (ii) endorsing Syria's claim to sovereignty, and (iii) relying upon a small military presence to deter others from destabilizing Assad's rule.