With its devastating air strikes on ISIS and US-funded rebel groups, Russia is now at the centre of the Syrian chessboard. Moscow is using its massive firepower to dramatically alter the balance of power in the Middle East. Here are ten strategic spinoffs from Moscow’s military action.
Russia is the new sheriff in the Middle East
What America couldn’t do in 365 days, Russia has done in three, with the result that Vladimir Putin is the new sheriff in town. More than 40 years of American diplomacy lies in tatters, with almost all countries in the region, barring the Gulf emirates, supporting Moscow. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi says he would welcome Russian airstrikes against ISIS in Iraq. Leading Shiite politician Hakim al-Zamili agrees: “In the upcoming few days or weeks, I think Iraq will be forced to ask Russia to launch air strikes, and that depends on their success in Syria.”
Wow, the US spends trillions of dollars to conquer Iraq, only for Russia to waltz in.
Syria gets breathing space
ISIS and other terror groups which were operating with impunity in Syria are finally on the run, having lost hundreds of personnel, leading commanders and heavy armour. It is unlikely these outfits will recover soon from the pounding by Russian jets and cruise missiles. Russia has therefore bought valuable time for the secular Syrian Arab Army to re-equip itself and recover lost territory.
Western backing of terror groups lies exposed
Looks like NATO didn’t just accidentally drop supplies in ISIS areas; they also accidentally trained these terrorists. The Western public and media are asking questions why Vladimir Putin was able to destroy what their leaders could not. Putin has put the US into a corner so it will find supporting these terrorist outfits difficult, although not impossible (as the CIA can use other channels and countries).
Limitations of American military power
As Putin chases his quarry, the US military can do little about it. The CIA had trained the Free Syrian Army and other rebels groups for terror activities in Syria but now the Americans are watching helplessly as the terrorists they spawned are being blasted into plasma. An indication of American impotence is that after a near collision with a Russian jet, the US Air Force has asked its fighter pilots to stay clear of the combat area.
The US military that overran such fearsome opponents as Grenada, Panama and Afghan goatherds now realises that going into combat with a serious peer is a different ballgame.
Sukhoi showstoppers are the new must have toys
Following their spectacular performance over Syrian skies, Russia’s Sukhoi warplanes are set to be the hottest commodity on the international arms market. With the MiG-29 providing top cover, the Sukhois – including the massive Su-34 fighter-bomber, the swing-wing Su-24 ground attack jet and the subsonic Su-25 tank buster – are doing a fantastic job. While the Su-24 is due for retirement, the Su-25 and Su-34 tandem could be the hottest new items on the wishlist of air forces around the world. The cruise missiles – probably the Klubs – that are thudding into terrorist hideouts are also likely to see an increase in popularity.
Intelligence bonanza for Russia
The near collision between Russia and American jets gives you an idea of the cramped confines in which foreign aircraft are operating. This proximity has allowed Russia to gather valuable intelligence on a variety of US and NATO aircraft, including the F-22, claimed to be the world’s premier stealth fighter. Such opportunities are rare and the guys in Russia’s military intelligence must be having a lot of fun going through all that data.
ISIS can no longer steal Iraqi and Syrian oil
ISIS was selling Iraqi and Syrian crude oil on the black market for as low as $10 a barrel. The regular market price is around $47 a barrel. Exporting oil requires transporting it via pipelines to the coast. Clearly, ISIS was free to conduct the sale of illicit crude without the fear of NATO airstrikes. This alone is enough evidence that ISIS was enjoying some form of American and NATO protection. Although ISIS exports were just a trickle in the torrent of crude oil flooding the world, the markets responded positively to the Russian airstrikes by moving up. Even a small uptick in the price of oil translates into billions of dollars in revenue for Russia.
Russia has got Saudi Arabia over a barrel
Saudi Arabia is losing its shirt because of its relentless production of crude oil aimed at weakening Russia and Iran. The IMF says the Saudi budget is in tatters, and the outlook appears grave for the kingdom. Russia’s comeback in the Middle East, along with Iran and the Hezbollah – the Shiite militant group that gives nightmares to the Saudi sheiks – could be the incentive that OPEC’s largest member needs to announce production cuts.
And with its patron America having lost face, it is no longer in a position to ask the Saudis to hold the line.
Europe wants to patch up with Russia
It has taken only a few Russian missiles to bring Europe to its senses. Europeans are taking the view that Moscow’s decisive action in neutralising ISIS seems like a good idea compared with US actions that created millions of refugees, many of who are now flooding into Western Europe. Both Germany and France are thinking of rolling back economic sanctions against Russia. That’s called cost-effective diplomacy.
Putin has multiple military options
By launching cruise missiles from the Caspian Sea 2400 km away – instead of the Mediterranean nearby, where the Russian Navy has stationed a powerful flotilla – Putin is indicating that he has multiple options. The Caspian was considered a Russian lake for centuries, and Moscow is signalling that nothing has changed today. Because Russian cruise missiles are flying at treetop level via Iraq and Iran, it follows that both Baghdad and Tehran have given their approval for Russian airstrikes. As well as showing off the range and lethality of Russian cruise missiles, it is a message to the US that the Russian military has access to Iranian and Iraqi airspace.
