6 Reasons Why Russia Cares So Much About SyriaBy Brandon Turbeville For many observers in the alternative media, understanding the Russian move is somewhat more sophisticated but still substantially lacking. For instance, while some simply oppose the Russian involvement on the basis of not wanting to see any further escalation, others heap lavish praise upon Putin for his decisions and present the Russian president as the potential leader for the world. At times, the adulation borders on the cult of personality, a dangerous situation regardless of the pure motives of the individual at the center of worship. It is true that, in the recent geopolitical back and forth that has been taking place between Russia and the West, the Russians have acted entirely in self-defense and that is has been the West that has provoked the current tensions. Indeed, in the context of Syria, Iran, and Ukraine, Russia has clearly stood on the right side of history while the United States and NATO move further and further in the opposite direction. However, while Russia has indeed acted and continues to act as a savior in Syria, Iran, and Ukraine, it is important to note that Russian foreign policy is not an act of charity and that, ultimately, Putins concern is centered with the fate of Russia. Whatever the world wishes to see Putin do in Syria will be subject to the geopolitical, national, and domestic interest of Russia, a stance once can scarcely criticize any national leader for maintaining. Below are a number of reasons that Putin and Russia are so concerned with the fate of Syria. The West has long desired a Qatari pipeline project that would stem from the oil fields of Qatar and traverse Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Syria, and Turkey before making its way to Europe. Besides the obvious benefits for Qatar and the basic addition of another source of oil and gas for Europe, the pipeline would represent a substantial reduction in the amount of leverage Russia currently holds over Europe. As of today, Russia is the main provider of the majority of Europes oil and gas. If the EU decides to act too provocatively in its eastern regions, Ukraine, or other areas of the Russian sphere of influence, Russia has the trump card of being able to turn off the oil and gas spigot, leaving Europe in the dark and cold. Europe would then be left with few options in the short to medium term other than to come around to Russias way of thinking. With the development of the Qatari pipeline, however, that trump card would be removed as Europe would then simply open the Qatari spigot further to make up for what was lost when the Russians cut theres off. In that event, Russia would also be deprived of a substantial amount of oil and gas-related income. Assad nixed the Qatari pipeline idea back in 2009 in favor of the Iran-Iraq-Syria pipeline that would have seen oil and gas coming from Iran through Iraq and Syria and on into Europe. While not directly beneficial to Russias oil company Gazprom, the pipeline is one that is owned and operated by Russian allies who are generally beholden to Russian support in the United Nations Security Council and military support when faced with NATO/American war efforts. The Russian leverage over Europe would thus largely still exist and the out provided by Qatar would be prevented. The quest for warm water ports has long played a major role in Russian foreign policy history. Currently, Russia boasts of a number of those ports Sevastopol, Crimea, and Tartus. The Syrian port of Tartus has no doubt been a major force behind Russian support of Assad and Syria throughout the crisis. Up until this point, however, the Russians only controlled a portion of the Tartus port. Recently, however, in concert with Russian military involvement, Russia now controls virtually the entire port. The control of the entirety of the Tartus port most certainly sweetened the deal in terms of Russian involvement. This new development has caused many to wonder whether or not Russia was able to squeeze greater control of the Tartus port out of Assad at a critical moment when Syria needed Russian help the most. It is also worth mentioning of the development of a Russian airbase in Latakia, a port city in its own right. Strategic influence plays a major role in the Russian decision as well. Syria has been in its sphere of influence for quite some time, but it has also acted one of the last Russian outposts in the Middle East after the fall of the Soviet Union. Russia does not want to lose this asset, with its pipeline potential, buffering qualities against Western aggression, and, of course, the warm water port. Furthermore, a closer alliance with Syria portends a closer alliance with Iran, the last country on the chessboard to fall before the assault begins on Russia and China proper. Russias alliance with Iran is a separate discussion but, suffice it to say that a greater alliance with Iran is to Russias distinct advantage and the close alliance with Syria facilitates that needed alliance with Iran. Likewise, with its entrance into the fight against ISIS, Russia has solidified good relationships with Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Hezbollah. As mentioned above, Russia is presumably aware of the strategy being used against it i.e. the attempt to chip away at all nations that resist the dictates of the NATO power structure and, in particular, areas of Russian alliance and influence before finally turning its sights directly on Russia itself. The creeping moves to gradually surround Russia cannot go unnoticed. If Syria falls, so falls Hezbollah. Iran will be isolated. Once Iran falls, there is little else left beyond Russia itself. Putin will then see the increase of terrorism in Russian territories and a greater push east by NATO in Ukraine. In essence, Russia is attempting to prevent the dominoes from falling. The use of Islamic fundamentalists as proxy fighters in Syria long ago raised the eyebrows of Russian leaders because, if for no other reason, that a number of Chechen fighters were flocking to the Middle East in order to engage in Jihad. The fear was not only that they would return to Russia and begin launching terror attacks but that the networks that control both Middle Easter jihadists and the Chechen variety would begin directing their proxies to attack Russia inside Russia, i.e. Chechnya and even farther inside the country. With the constant threat of Western-backed Chechen fighters in Russia launching attacks inside the country in the forefront, Turkey and the puppet government of Ukraine recently collaborated in the creation of Muslim brigades to be used against Russia in Crimea and other areas surrounding or in Russia. Thus, Russia is attempting to fight ISIS abroad so they dont have to fight them at home by destroying an organized structure that may exist in Syria and hopefully reducing the number of dupes, fanatics, and psychopaths in absolute number. While perhaps not the most extensive threat by any means, Turkey is attempting to spread its influence across the Middle East and Asia, a theatre that includes Russia as a target as well. While Turkey has provided Yeomens service in the agenda of NATO and the Anglo-Americans, it is clear that megalomaniacs like Erdoghan have pipe dreams of re-establishing the Ottoman Empire. These dreams are, in reality, delusions. However, these dreams make Turkey dangerous in the meantime, particularly to Russia. The attempt to promote Uyghur terrorism in Asia, in and around Russias Asian/Eurasian borders, and Tatar terror in Crimea is reason enough for Russia to attempt to crush Turkeys plan for Syria. *** While Russias position in Syria is, without a doubt beneficial to the Syrian people, it should not be romanticized that the Russian government is simply sitting at home watching the crisis unfold, overcome with concern for the victims of the war. The truth is that many factors have come into play in this regard. We should not allow ourselves to assume that world leaders are concerned with all of the same issues as the people they lead. Still, it is without question that, in regards to Syria, Ukraine, and virtually the entire geopolitical angle, Russia finds itself on the right side of history. As observers, activists, and people of the world, we must support these efforts where they match up with our own agenda and principles, and be prepared to oppose them when they do not. Image Credit Brandon Turbeville article archive here is an author out of Florence, South Carolina. He has a Bachelors Degree from Francis Marion University and is the author of six books, Codex Alimentarius The End of Health Freedom, 7 Real Conspiracies, Five Sense Solutions and Dispatches From a Dissident, volume 1 and volume 2, The Road to Damascus: The Anglo-American Assault on Syria, and The Difference it Makes: 36 Reasons Why Hillary Clinton Should Never Be President. Turbeville has published over 500 articles dealing on a wide variety of subjects including health, economics, government corruption, and civil liberties. Brandon Turbevilles podcast Truth on The Tracks can be found every Monday night 9 pm EST at UCYTV. He is available for radio and TV interviews. Please contact activistpost (at) gmail.com. Ukraine: the part of Ukraine which is pro Russia, is according to my infos, populated with Moskowites migrants. If you agree that ancestral lands should not be violated, Moskowia have no say there; which does not mean that other adventurers re fckg nulland and EU transparently elected democrats should parasite around as well. I cant keep us with all of this anymore. All I know is Putin is one of the global elite as well so any conflict is grossly exaggerated and potentially completely manufactured. The rich DO fight the rich sometimes over power and control (not money) but this is most likely just another con game. I liken it to the Democrats and Republicans pretending to hate each other and then they have picnics and parties at each others houses. Their kids are best friends. Thats why they call it political theater. They are all paid actors, just like the ones who fake being the family members in the phony psyop shootings to destroy the 2nd amendment. Good post. The rich DO fight the rich sometimes over power and control (not money) but this is most likely just another con game. Wise words Our world will always be a dangerous place as long as ignorant fools maintain their unchallenged lead as the vast majority of its populace. The warmongers that are manufacturing conflicts, wars and rumors-of-wars to suit their satanic appetite are having a field day, as they know societys ignorant fools will always be on their side. Putin is interested in power and control and by taking over he will have both edging out the west, meaning the USA LaRae, We get your type of superficial analysis in the MSM. Your comment sheds no light on the topic, well said. couldnt have articulated the point better myself. thanks for sharing. The West, particularly America, has become delusional. America has now admitted that it had been training and supporting the so-called Free Syrian Army (FSA) against the legitimate Syrian government. This tantamount to sabotage and terrorism against Syria by America. If Russia kills these saboteurs and the IS barbarians, then that is not a bad thing and should be supported. Its merely the brotherhood of butchering dictators, they need to stick together in this zany madcap world Putin is an elected leader with a congress to answer to, and who has he ever butchered. We know full well that our American government is almost 100% full of butchers. Putler has exceeded term limits, but just keeps inventing new titles for himself. Political rivals of putler also seem to keep falling on bullets, go figure I think leaders should be reelected as often as is necessary as long as they are capable of doing the job. And when so many westerners are admiring a Russian president (Putin), its a clear sign that the scale is tipping. Fascist? Oil again. How boring. Oil companies are the only parties that require oil. The sooner we get to sustainableand very accessibleenergy policies, the sooner all this macho/adolescent posturing maneuvering will go away. And just wishing for something will make it come true. You not wondered why we havent already? Not a mention of Russia now being a devout Orthodox Christian nation with deep religious ties to Syria. PS, Not even a mention of Israel either, which is behind everything in the middle east. ALL this and Barry fiddles .. Reason 7. It stopped Israels land grab. 