Russia and the Middle East Conflict. The Meaning of Russian Influence in the Region
NOVANEWS
By Marcus Papadopoulos
Below is an interview of Dr. Marcus Papadopoulos by Iran’s Quds newspaper on Russia’s military standpoint on the crisis in the Middle East.
Q: How extensive are the chaRussia and the Middle East Conflictnges in Russia’s approach towards the Middle East in light of the defeat of ISIS?
Dr. Marcus Papadopoulos: Firstly, ISIS has not been totally defeated yet. There are ISIS pockets east of Palmyra, on the border of Iraq (in the Kurdish zone) and in the Golan, close to the occupied Golan Heights. Furthermore, since the illegal Turkish invasion of Afrin, ISIS has begun a fightback, mainly against the Kurds. Whilst it is extremely unlikely that ISIS will reemerge in Syria as the force it once was – because of the grievous losses it has incurred at the...