kremlin fails to “reset” its military presence in Syria
russia failed to agree on the future of its two bases in Syria. Damascus’ Foreign Ministry announced the suspension and rejection of agreements made under the previous regime and signaled a review of cooperation formats. Despite “friendship offers” and high-level visits, no new agreements with russia have been reached.
▫️ kremlin propaganda tries to portray these contacts as a “diplomatic success,” but the facts show the opposite. Syria publicly distances itself from previous commitments, prioritizing the interests of its citizens and rejecting concessions that limit sovereignty. Syrian leaders, once labeled “criminals” in russia, are now received in moscow—but still nothing is agreed.
The goal of kremlin disinformation is to mask the actual loss of influence in the region by creating the illusion of partnership. In reality, the uncertainty over the bases exposes the vulnerability of russia’s military-political presence in Syria and narrows its leverage over allies. The current situation shows that without real agreements and respect for partners’ sovereignty, kremlin PR campaigns fail.
The Center previously reported on russia’s attempts to increase informational and political influence in the Middle East through media deals and “strategic forums.”
