{"id":40009,"date":"2025-10-17T16:37:54","date_gmt":"2025-10-17T16:37:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/963media.com\/en\/?p=40009"},"modified":"2025-10-17T16:37:54","modified_gmt":"2025-10-17T16:37:54","slug":"moscow-and-damascus-a-new-partnership-beyond-the-assad-era","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/963media.com\/en\/17\/10\/2025\/moscow-and-damascus-a-new-partnership-beyond-the-assad-era\/","title":{"rendered":"Moscow and Damascus: A New Partnership Beyond the Assad Era"},"content":{"rendered":"<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>The interim Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa\u2019s visit to Moscow comes at a critical moment in the history of the Middle East, where regional transformations coincide with the redrawing of power balances following the fall of Bashar al-Assad\u2019s regime, which for decades was one of Russia&#8217;s most prominent allies in the region. This visit, Al-Sharaa\u2019s first since assuming power last December, goes beyond protocol. It represents a strategic turning point reflecting the re-positioning of both Moscow and Damascus within a new equation that merges political, economic, and military interests.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On one hand, Syria seeks to regain internal stability and rebuild its international relations after years of war and division. On the other, Russia aims to reaffirm itself as a key player in the Middle East, this time not as protector, but as partner. Between these two objectives arise essential questions about Russia\u2019s true role in the downfall of the previous regime, and whether Moscow has transitioned from the \u201csavior\u201d to the \u201carchitect\u201d of post-Assad Syria.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The visit carries multiple political implications. It tests Moscow\u2019s intentions to rebuild its relationship with Damascus on new foundations and expresses Syria\u2019s desire to turn the page of the past without compromising national sovereignty, at a time when Syrian memory remains scarred by war and foreign intervention. Thus, the visit becomes an indicator of a new political phase in Syrian-Russian relations, one where pragmatic interests intertwine with historical calculations, reflecting the shifting balance of power in the region after a decade of conflict.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Al-Sharaa conducted an official visit to the Russian capital Moscow, where he met President Vladimir Putin in what was described as a \u201cstrategically new\u201d encounter.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This visit, al-Shar\u2019a\u2019s first since taking office after the ousting of Bashar al-Assad\u2019s regime in December of last year, represents a pivotal moment in bilateral relations after years of political divergence and stagnation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Both presidents emphasized their commitment to rebuilding ties in line with the new realities of Syria and the region. After two decades of close alliance under Assad, Moscow and Damascus now appear ready to open a new page of cooperation aimed at building a \u201cpost-Assad\u201d Syria as part of a broader Russian strategy for the Middle East.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Despite divisions among Syrians regarding the visit, public sentiment oscillates between caution and hope, amid expectations that it may lead to improved economic and political conditions. Yet questions persist about Russia\u2019s real role in the fall of the Assad regime.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Read also: <a href=\"https:\/\/963media.com\/en\/15\/10\/2025\/ahmad-al-sharaa-in-moscow-new-phase-in-syrian-russian-relations\/#\">Ahmad al-Sharaa in Moscow: New Phase in Syrian\u2013Russian Relations<\/a><br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>The Game of Interests<\/b><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Political analyst Hisham Khalifa told <\/span><b>+963<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that Al-Sharaa\u2019s visit reignited debate about Russia\u2019s possible role in toppling Bashar al-Assad\u2019s regime as part of an undeclared deal mediated through Turkish channels. For years, Moscow was the regime\u2019s foremost military and political supporter, and its 2015 air intervention prolonged Assad\u2019s rule during the civil war. However, Russia\u2019s shift in stance in late 2024, as opposition attacks intensified and regime defenses collapsed, signaled a fundamental change in Russian policy.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Political expert Abdullah al-Abdullah told <\/span><b>+963<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that Moscow had long accepted the necessity of political change and may have quietly facilitated a transfer of power to avoid further bloodshed, especially after scaling back its direct military support in the regime\u2019s final battles.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Field reports indicate that Russian air operations in December 2024 were limited and largely non-decisive, targeting mostly empty areas, a sign of a deliberate retreat at the critical moment.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Al-Abdullah added that \u201cMoscow acted with strategic rationality, choosing to safeguard its military and economic interests, including its bases in Tartus and Hmeimim, rather than engage in a futile battle to rescue the regime.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Leaks suggest prior coordination between Moscow and the opposition to facilitate a smooth power transition in Damascus.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to al-Abdullah, Russia was not merely a supporter of the former regime but played a central role in managing its fall in a way that preserved its interests and ensured the continuity of its regional influence with minimal losses. Today, Moscow appears to be reaping the benefits of that cautious strategy.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>Between Syrian Memory and International Interests<\/b><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Syrian views on al-Sharaa\u2019s visit to Moscow range from resentment to pragmatic acceptance.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ahmad al-Tayyib, a government employee, told <\/span><b>+963<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that Russia continues to shelter figures from the former regime and shield them from accountability, a source of anger among many Syrians who lost trust in Moscow since its military intervention.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Conversely, writer Mahmoud Jarrad told <\/span><b>+963<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that politics is driven by interests, not emotions, stressing that Syria\u2019s current priority lies in balanced relations built on equality and mutual respect, away from dependency on any external power.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Read also:<a href=\"https:\/\/963media.com\/en\/16\/10\/2025\/damascus-ankara-talks-who-holds-the-final-word-in-syria\/#\"> Damascus Ankara Talks: Who Holds the Final Word in Syria?<\/a><br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>Strengthening Military and Economic Cooperation<\/b><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to political analyst Hisham Khalifa, the main outcomes of al-Sharaa\u2019s October 2025 visit to Moscow included: the renewal of agreements on continued Russian presence at the Hmeimim and Tartus bases; renewed Russian military support for the Syrian army, particularly in air defense; the signing of reconstruction contracts for infrastructure in transport and energy sectors; and President al-Sharaa\u2019s affirmation of respect for all previous agreements with Moscow while seeking to enhance political and economic partnership on the basis of sovereignty and shared interests.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Political analyst Ismail al-Shahir told <\/span><b>+963<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that Russia has shifted from being a direct military ally of the former regime to a strategic partner of the new government in Damascus, acting with flexibility and realism.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to all-Shahir, Moscow no longer pursues a policy of \u201cunconditional support.\u201d Instead, it aims to preserve its military foothold in Tartus and Hmeimim while reducing its direct military footprint elsewhere, in exchange for greater economic and political cooperation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Al-Shahir concludes that Russia\u2019s new strategy in Syria is built on pragmatic cooperation and the preservation of influence at minimal cost, adapting to new political realities to ensure its continued regional role.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Analysts agree that al-Sharaa\u2019s visit to Moscow marked a turning point in Syrian-Russian relations, opening the door to a new phase of balanced interests and orientations. While public skepticism remains regarding Russia\u2019s role in Assad\u2019s downfall, both Damascus and Moscow appear intent on shaping a new relationship, one that moves beyond the legacy of war and division toward a partnership grounded in pragmatism and national sovereignty.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The interim Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa\u2019s visit to Moscow comes at a critical moment in the history of the Middle East, where regional transformations coincide with the redrawing of power balances following the fall of Bashar al-Assad\u2019s regime, which for decades was one of Russia&#8217;s most prominent allies in the region. This visit, Al-Sharaa\u2019s first [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":137,"featured_media":40010,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":{"format":"standard","override":[{"template":"1","single_blog_custom":"0","parallax":"1","fullscreen":"1","layout":"left-sidebar","sidebar":"default-sidebar","second_sidebar":"default-sidebar","sticky_sidebar":"1","share_position":"float","share_float_style":"share-normal","show_share_counter":"1","show_view_counter":"1","show_featured":"1","show_post_meta":"1","show_post_author":"1","show_post_author_image":"1","show_post_date":"1","post_date_format":"default","post_date_format_custom":"g:i a d\/m\/Y","post_reading_time_wpm":"300","post_calculate_word_method":"str_word_count","show_zoom_button":"1","zoom_button_out_step":"5","zoom_button_in_step":"4","show_post_tag":"1","number_popup_post":"1","show_post_related":"1"}],"image_override":[{"single_post_thumbnail_size":"crop-500","single_post_gallery_size":"crop-500"}],"trending_post_position":"meta","trending_post_label":"Trending","sponsored_post_label":"Sponsored by","disable_ad":"0","subtitle":"Al-Shara's visit to Moscow brings Russia's role in the fall of the Assad regime back into focus."},"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_override_counter":{"view_counter_number":"0","share_counter_number":"0","like_counter_number":"0","dislike_counter_number":"0"},"jnews_post_split":{"post_split":[{"template":"1","tag":"h2","numbering":"asc","mode":"normal","first":"0","enable_toc":"0","toc_type":"normal"}]},"footnotes":""},"categories":[430,19],"tags":[],"ppma_author":[429],"class_list":["post-40009","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-insights","category-slider"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v24.2 (Yoast SEO v28.0) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Moscow and Damascus: A New Partnership Beyond the Assad Era - 963+<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Syria and Russia open a new chapter after Assad\u2019s fall, as interim President Al-Sharaa\u2019s Moscow visit reshapes political and economic ties across the Middle East.\" 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