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WASHINGTON - With Russia launching airstrikes in the country, the Syrian conflict has entered a new level.
Although Russia, like the United States, views ISIS as a major threat, the first Russian bombs were dropped in Homs, a city which is not known as a stronghold for the terror group.
The US has long been concerned about Russia’s position and recent military buildup in Syria. The airstrikes, which are expected to help President Bashar al-Assad stay in power, are likely to intensify existing tensions between Russia and the West.
The introduction of Russia’s airpower into the conflict came only two days after President Barack Obama and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, held their first meeting in two years at United Nations headquarters, where they gave lengthy speeches attacking one another’s foreign policy on Syria.
Obama said Russia is supporting a “tyrant” under the guise of fighting ISIS.
Putin, who spoke shortly afterwards, fired back, saying it is America’s past interventions in the Middle East, not Assad, that have helped the rise of ISIS in the first place.
"We should finally acknowledge that no one but President Assad's armed forces and Kurd militias are truly fighting the Islamic State,” Putin said.
What does Russia’s military involvement in Syria mean for the future of the country and US influence in the Middle East? What should we expect the US to do in response?
Joining me to examine this issue are:
Chris Chivvis, a US foreign policy expert at the RAND Corporation who has previously served as a defense analyst at the Pentagon. He specializes in national security issues in Europe and the Middle East.
Scott Bates, president of the Center for National Policy and senior adviser at the Truman National Security Project. Scott, who has extensive experience on Capitol Hill, is author of "Winning the War on Terror."
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