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Syria
Dealing with Returning Islamic State Fighters
RUSI Newsbrief, 17 July 2020
Sabin Khan
We should take collective global action to hold foreign terrorist fighters to account, prevent impunity, and reverse the growth and influence of global jihadism.
Tags: UK Counter-terrorism, Tackling Extremism, Iraq, Syria, UK, Domestic Security
In the Chaos of Syrian Geopolitics, Russia Remains Dominant
Commentary, 15 May 2020
Kamal Alam
The Russians appear to be expressing dissatisfaction with the Syrian president. But these are mere rumblings; the Syrian government is consolidating, and Russia is there to stay.
Tags: Turkey, Iran, The Gulf Region, Russia, Syria
Europe and the Coronavirus Pandemic in the Middle East
Commentary, 6 April 2020
Tobias Borck
The pandemic preoccupies Europe. But the continent should not lose sight of potential new crises in the Middle East.
Tags: Egypt, Iran, The Gulf Region, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Libya, Israel, Middle East and North Africa
Proxy Warfare and the Future of Conflict: Take Two
RUSI Journal, 2 April 2020
Vladimir Rauta
The Syrian conflict shows that there are ever-more reasons for states choosing to use proxies.
Tags: US Defence Policy, Syria, Defence Policy, Middle East and North Africa
Your Tanks Cannot Hide
RUSI Defence Systems, 5 March 2020
Nick Reynolds and Jack Watling
Massed Turkish drone and artillery strikes against Syrian tanks and armoured vehicles have major implications for the viability of traditional armoured manoeuvre warfare on the modern battlefield
Tags: Martial Power Programme, Military Sciences, Turkey, Syria
"Karin Von Hippel, director-general of the Royal United Services Institute for Defense and Security Studies, a think tank in London, said al-Baghdadi's death is likely to usher in “a new phase” for ISIS, with the expectation that a new leader will emerge in the coming weeks.
It might also provide the opportunity for a rapprochement between al Qaeda and ISIS, which split in 2014, Von Hippel added.
“Both have been weakened to a degree on the battlefield, especially ISIS after losing its so-called Caliphate earlier this year. But both have considerable skills sets, notably in the virtual and physical worlds, in grooming and recruiting, training, bomb making and directing attacks,” she said "
Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi's death 'hard blow' for ISIS, but not group's death knell
In The News, 28 October 2019 Tags: Syria, Middle East and North AfricaPages
In the Chaos of Syrian Geopolitics, Russia Remains Dominant
Commentary, 15 May 2020Kamal Alam
The Russians appear to be expressing dissatisfaction with the Syrian president. But these are mere rumblings; the Syrian government is consolidating, and Russia is there to stay.
Turkey, Iran, The Gulf Region, Russia, Syria
Europe and the Coronavirus Pandemic in the Middle East
Commentary, 6 April 2020Tobias Borck
The pandemic preoccupies Europe. But the continent should not lose sight of potential new crises in the Middle East.
Egypt, Iran, The Gulf Region, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Libya, Israel, Middle East and North Africa
Could Russian S-400s Protect Syria Against Cruise Missiles?
Commentary, 19 April 2018Justin Bronk
Russia’s S-400 missiles can inflict damage, but not stop or defeat Western air strikes against Syria on their own.
Aerospace, Military Sciences, Syria
Strike Options for the US, France and the UK in Syria
Commentary, 11 April 2018Justin Bronk
In 2017, the US launched an ineffective cruise missile attack Syria’s Shayrat airbase in retaliation for a chemical weapons attack. So, what can the Western powers do now to deter the Assad regime from repeating last week’s chlorine gas attack on Douma?
Military Sciences, United States, Russia, Syria, France, UK
Syria: It’s Not Getting any Easier, It’s Getting Messier
Commentary, 22 February 2018Michael Stephens
Rather than winding down to a peaceable solution, Syria’s war is becoming more violent than ever. And it's down to outside powers supporting local actors
Turkey, SyriaPages
US Air Strikes Against Syrian Air Base
Multimedia, 7 April 2017Justin Bronk, Research Fellow at RUSI assesses the US airstrike against a Syrian airbase following the Syrian government's chemical attack in the Idlib province.
Tags: Aerospace, Military Sciences, Syria
The Middle East in 2017
Multimedia, 21 December 2016RUSI Research Fellow Dr Aniseh Bassiri Tabrizi looks at the Middle East in 2017 and believes that key areas will include post-Daesh stablisation and the international role of Iran.
Tags: International Security Studies, Iran, Syria
The Assassination of Russia's Ambassador to Turkey
Multimedia, 19 December 2016Immediate reaction from RUSI research fellow Michael Stephens to the assassination of Russia's Ambassador to Turkey.
Tags: Turkey, Russia, Syria, Middle East and North Africa
The Battle for Aleppo, December 2016
Multimedia, 16 December 2016RUSI Research Fellows Michael Stephens and Aniseh Bassiri Tabrizi assess the latest developments in Aleppo and the role of Russia and Iran.
Tags: International Security Studies, Syria, Middle East and North Africa
The War In Syria: Interview with Karin von Hippel from Royal United Services Institute
Multimedia, 23 September 2016Speaking to TRT World, RUSI Director General Karin von Hippel comments on the bombing of an aid convoy this week in Syria.
Tags: SyriaPages
Dealing with Returning Islamic State Fighters
RUSI Newsbrief, 17 July 2020Sabin Khan
We should take collective global action to hold foreign terrorist fighters to account, prevent impunity, and reverse the growth and influence of global jihadism.
UK Counter-terrorism, RUSI Newsbrief, Tackling Extremism, Iraq, Syria, UK, Domestic Security
Proxy Warfare and the Future of Conflict: Take Two
RUSI Journal, 2 April 2020Vladimir Rauta
The Syrian conflict shows that there are ever-more reasons for states choosing to use proxies.
RUSI Journal, US Defence Policy, Syria, Defence Policy, Middle East and North Africa
Your Tanks Cannot Hide
RUSI Defence Systems, 5 March 2020Nick Reynolds and Jack Watling
Massed Turkish drone and artillery strikes against Syrian tanks and armoured vehicles have major implications for the viability of traditional armoured manoeuvre warfare on the modern battlefield
Martial Power Programme, Military Sciences, Turkey, RUSI Defence Systems, Syria
The US–Turkey Strategic Stalemate
RUSI Newsbrief, 13 June 2019Michael Stephens
Despite Daesh’s military defeat there remains a significant clash between the US and Turkey about Kurdish-controlled areas in Syria. Should Washington continue to support the Kurds?
Turkey, United States, RUSI Newsbrief, Iraq, Syria, Counterinsurgency, Global Security Issues
Israel’s World is Shrinking: How the Iran–Russia Axis is Gaining Ground
RUSI Newsbrief, 18 April 2019Kyle Orton
Israeli opinion generally regards the country’s efforts to contain Iran, especially in Syria, as having been successful. In fact, the trendline runs the other way: Iran is constraining Israel,...
Iran, RUSI Newsbrief, Russia, Syria, Israel, Global Security IssuesPages
Book Launch – The Merchant of Syria
Events, 30 April 2018Diana Darke will give an illustrated talk on The Merchant of Syria, her newest book, the result of four years’ research into the socio-economic history of Syria through the life of one man, a textile...
RUSI International, Syria, Middle East and North Africa
The Syrian War: Seven Years In and No End in Sight
Events, 8 March 2018Rather than winding down to a peaceable solution, Syria’s war is becoming more violent than ever. This event considered the significant developments in Syria, the role of external powers and discuss...
RUSI International, Turkey, Syria, Global Security Issues, Middle East and North Africa
What Next in Syria?
Events, 25 October 2017President and CEO of the International Rescue Committee, Rt Hon David Miliband led an expert panel discussion exploring the political, security and humanitarian aspects of the Syria crisis.
Syria
Stabilisation Challenges in Syria: In Conversation with Mark Ward, Director of the Syria Transition Assistance and Response Team (START)
Events, 27 May 2016RUSI is pleased to welcome Mark Ward, Director of START, to discuss the challenges the US, the UK and other partners have faced since the start of the civil war in Syria. He will also describe...
International Security Studies, Turkey, US Defence Policy, Syria, Counterinsurgency, Global Security Issues, Middle East and North Africa
"Karin Von Hippel, director-general of the Royal United Services Institute for Defense and Security Studies, a think tank in London, said al-Baghdadi's death is likely to usher in “a new phase” for ISIS, with the expectation that a new leader will emerge in the coming weeks. It might also provide the opportunity for a rapprochement between al Qaeda and ISIS, which split in 2014, Von Hippel added. “Both have been weakened to a degree on the battlefield, especially ISIS after losing its so-called Caliphate earlier this year. But both have considerable skills sets, notably in the virtual and physical worlds, in grooming and recruiting, training, bomb making and directing attacks,” she said"
Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi's death 'hard blow' for ISIS, but not group's death knell
In The News, 28 October 2019 Tags: Syria, Middle East and North Africa
"“There is no other way to say this other than Assad has basically won,” said Michael Stephens, a research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, a London-based think tank. “The agreement between Assad and the Kurds has effectively handed Assad back almost the entire country and of course it’s a benefit for Russia,” he said."
As the U.S. withdraws, Assad and Putin are emerging as the winners in Syria
In The News, 15 October 2019 Tags: RUSI International, Syria, Middle East and North Africa
"Taking nuclear weapons out of Turkey would cause NATO a significant headache. "I could imagine NATO nuclear planners working overtime to work this one out," Plant noted. "If they were to move, there would be some gap that would need to be addressed in some way. And the alliance as a whole could decide that it could tolerate that, that's possible as possible. Or it could decide to move things around in some way.""
U.S.-Turkey Tensions Raise Fears Over Future Of Nuclear Weapons Near Syria
In The News, 15 October 2019 Tags: Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, United States, Syria, Middle East and North Africa
Dr Karin von Hippel on ISIS in Syria for BBC Today Progamme
In The News, 15 October 2019 Tags: United States, Syria, Middle East and North Africa
"Michael Stephens, research fellow for Middle East studies at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) think-tank in London, said: "It is fair to say that this decision has not gone down well in the UK or France, and I think we have been left in the lurch a bit and are having to play a reactive strategy to a president who doesn't have a strategy." "It is very difficult to know exactly what the US is aiming at here and what their strategic priorities are... So from a European perspective, it's a confusing time and difficult to come up with a response.""
Trump's Syria policy dismays Europe as Turkey launches campaign
In The News, 10 October 2019 Tags: United States, Syria
The Budding Alliance Between Lockdown Critics and the Far-Right in Germany
FCAS: Is the Franco-German-Spanish Combat Air Programme Really in Trouble?
Getting the Partnership Right