Publication

The Syrian conflict is increasingly characterized by the dominance of radical Islamist factions in the opposition and the influence of well-trained and equipped foreign Jihadists. The author argues that the fear of the ‘free space’ newly consolidated by these groups in northern Syria is driving both US and Russian efforts to broker a political settlement in the short-term. Russia, he suggests, is feeling particularly exposed by its support for the Assad regime as it prepares to host the Winter Olympics in the North Caucasus.