The U.S. and Russia will Meet at Syria Conference for Discussion on Friday

For the first time after Russia’s participation in combat missions in Syria, the U.S. and Russia will meet in Vienna on Friday. Because Russian intervention interferes with Washington’s plan to defeat the Islamic State, it is imperative that the two countries address U.S. concern about Russia’s airstrikes against the opponents of the Assad’s regime. The US hopes for a political transition in Syria that would remove Mr. Assad from power while Moscow hopes for a "long term resolution can be achieved on the basis of a political process with the participation of all political forces, ethnic and religious groups" that can be achieved by a “positive dynamic in the fighting” (provided by Russian forces). This meeting is also influenced by Mr. Putin’s invitation to Syrian ruler Assad to visit Moscow on Tuesday where they discussed operations against Syria’s opponents. Assad’s acceptance not only displays defiance to the West and Russia’s effort to position itself as the main diplomat in the region, but Assad’s growing confidence. It was the first time he left the country since the civil war conflict began over four years ago. Assad’s visit to Moscow and the military intervention is important because it may position Russia as Syria’s closest ally and diplomatic partner, even overtaking Iran’s attempt to increase its role in Syria.

Additionally, Moscow and Syria have had history. In September 2013, Russia’s support of a plan that allowed Assad to hand over his chemical weapons halted US military action against Assad. Russia first began showing support of Assad when they promised to eliminate terrorists abroad, the approximately 4,000 people from the former Soviet Union that came to Syria, were trained and taught by the Islamic State and are now fighting the Syrian government.

Russian military intervention is already boosting the confidence of the Syrian government. The Syrian government forces had been losing ground, but now, the government in Damascus is attempting to regain territory once considered out of Assad’s control. Syrian, Iranian and Hezbollah fighters backed by Russian planes began capturing many villages along the city’s southern outskirts on Friday, the government’s biggest advance since Russian intervention. Mr. Putin said the Syrian government had “achieved significantly positive results” and was prepared to help lead the country to end the conflict. Russia is ready to “not only to take the path of military action in the fight against terrorism, but to take the path of a political solution.” However, many question Russia’s claim that it is targeting Islamic State militants. Many of the airstrikes have affected mainstream rebels, some of which have been trained and equipped by Washington. In addition, the Russian embassy’s claims that Russian forces hadn’t caused local casualties in recent days, but the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights has proven that Russian and Syrian combined forces have taken a large humanitarian toll. At least 127 civilians, including 36 children and 34 women, have been killed by Russian airstrikes.

What do you think about the situation?

What are Russia’s true intentions? Does Russia’s history with Syria have any significance?

Are Russia’s actions in direction opposition to Washington’s plans?

http://www.wsj.com/articles/syrian-president-bashar-al-assad-visits-moscow-1445414559

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-34590561