Syrian troops, aided by Russian airstrikes, are gradually retaking territory held by the rebels. “Russia needs to be convinced that an immediate ceasefire rather than the continuation of war serves its long-term interests,” argues Jochen Prantl, director, Asia-Pacific College of Diplomacy, and associate professor in international relations at the Australian National University, adding that Russia as a major military power and one of five members with veto power on the U.N. Security Council has great capacity to help or hinder any global or regional peace initiative. Many Russians yearn for their country to be regarded as both powerful and responsible global player. The collapse in oil prices could encourage engagement—and remind the world that Russia is geographically and culturally poised to bridge East and West. Universities, foundations, diplomats, and even corporations must find ways to convince Russia that balanced foreign policy with minimal aggression could be highly profitable.
CANBERRA, Australia—U.N. negotiations to end the five-year civil war in Syria and form a transitional government will resume at the end of this month. With 250,000 people dead and more than half of the 22 million pre-war population either internally displaced or refugees, the talks are a litmus test for the key external stakeholders, especially the United States and Russia, to negotiate shared principles underlying peace and order.
Russia’s September military intervention in Syria, in support of President Bashar al-Assad, has turned Moscow into a pivotal player in the region. The agenda is currently being set by an alliance formed by Russia, Iran, and Assad. The danger of a proxy U.S.-Russian conflict is real.
Also, should Iraq request help from Russia in fighting the Islamic State (ISIS), the proxy conflict may escalate into direct confrontation between Washington and Moscow. Russia needs to be convinced that an immediate cease-fire rather than the continuation of war serves its long-term interests.
Russia needs to be convinced that an immediate cease-fire rather than the continuation of war serves its long-term interests.
