THE NEW WORLD ORDER
US withdrawal from Syria has allowed Russia and its allies to gain ground in establishing a new world order centred on Russia rather than the US, discusses Arun Srivastava
Global political scenarios and relations are undergoing a massive change with the United States under Donald Trump losing ground and Russia emerging fast as the new protector of global peace.
President Trump might well be having some justifiable reason for withdrawing his troops from Syria but the fact remains that his actions have shaken the confidence level of NATO and substantially weakened the American hold on the geopolitical situation of the Middle East. Till the launching of its October 6 war against the Kurds, Turkey was an ally of NATO but now, it has deserted the camp.
Realising the intensity of Turkish aggression and the damage done to US political goodwill across the world, Trump retreated from his earlier stand and cautioned Turkey from attacking the Kurds. He even threatened to impose economy crunching sanctions. But by this point, the damage has already been inflicted on the capitalist West. The Middle East has rallied behind Russia and especially Vladimir Putin as their new protector.
The difference between the two leaders is clear. While Trump is viewed as a right-wing politician with destructive tendencies, Putin is perceived as the well-wisher of the global community. Putin, in recent years, has used a range of policy tools to undermine Us-led international order and also to expand its influence on the global stage. Since 2012, Russia has been conducting a sophisticated and successful campaign to expand its global influence.
Undeniably, Russia is by far the strongest foreign power operating in the middle east and Syria and President Vladimir Putin has thrown his full weight and also of the Russian military behind the Syrian Army. It is also fairly logical for Turkey to aspire for more space. Turkey desires to enter Syria and drive back Kurdish fighters from near the border. Turkey has become a more important partner for Russia both in Syria and on the international political stage but Russia does not appear to endorse Turkey’s announced military operations.
To this effect, Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Vladimir Putin have agreed on the parameters of a proposed Turkish “safe zone” in Syria. This development would bring an end to Ankara’s offensive against Kurdish forces and bring peace in the region. According to this agreement, Turkey and Russia will not allow any separatist agenda on Syrian territory.
The chain of events triggered by Donald Trump’s October 6 announcement that US troops would leave Kurdish controlled north-east Syria has left Moscow as the most powerful player in Syria’s complex war, now in its ninth year. Trump has been widely criticised for his decision to pull back the US Special Forces from the region, which in effect signalled Turkish attack on the SDF, which was the main ground partner for the US in the five-year-campaign to defeat ISIS.
There is no denying the fact that this is more of a return to true nature for a Global Russia and also the basic element of the Moscow policy of undermining the U.S.’S international order besides reinforcing Putin’s domestic legitimacy and promoting Russian commercial, military and energy interests globally. The policy also aims to create a multipolar world in which Russia would play a more prominent role. This would also aim at fulfilling global power vacuums created by Donald Trump’s “America First” foreign policy.
It is obvious that a Turkish operation to “clear” Kurdish forces from the North-eastern Syrian border zone could give Putin a chance to expand Russian influence. Russia’s main base in Syria is the airfield at Khmeimim. Significantly, on top of its military presence in Syria, Russia has also been making economic moves in Syria. Russian oil and gas firms have gained contracts for the exploitation of hydrocarbons in Eastern Syria.
It is an open secret that Russia wants the US to leave Syria and has also on certain occasions stated that “it believes the US is in Syria illegally.” Russia supports the disputed Syrian government, while Turkey backs one of Syria’s main rebel groups. Nevertheless, Russia has been keen to cater to its Turkish allies and has offered to negotiate with all sides for a solution. But Russia could not stop Turkey from moving into Northern Syria and ousting Kurdish forces which are from the same organization and fighting on America’s side against ISIS.
It is not an exaggeration to say that Trump’s decision to withdraw from Syria has greatly enhanced Russia’s already expanding influence. As US Senate Majority Leader and staunch Trump supporter, Mitch Mcconnell had tweeted, “A precipitous withdrawal of US forces from Syria would only benefit Russia, Iran, and the Assad regime.”
The difference between the two leaders is clear. While Trump is viewed as a rightwing politician with destructive tendencies, Putin is perceived as the well-wisher of the global community