US officials begin to see cracks in Russia's Syria strategy
Experts believe that Moscow's chances to benefit from intervention in Syria via the lifting of European sanctions has been reduced due to the collapse of the ceasefire.
According to some representatives of the U.S. government, the cracks in Moscow’s strategy began to emerge on Wednesday, September 21st during the United Nations Security Council high level meeting when Russia changed its explanations about the attack on a humanitarian convoy that resulted in 20 deaths.
The Russian officials previously suggested that the humanitarian convoy suddenly caught fire, later they said that the convoy may have been struck by a Predator drone. The Pentagon strongly denied these charges.
U.S. officials stated that Moscow’s attempt "to overcome the truth" only underscores a deeper problem facing the Russian strategy in Syria. "They are in a situation where they support the regime that has no chance of military success,” said an anonymous representative of the U.S. government on Voice of America.
The official added that even Russia's statement that it has sent its only aircraft carrier "Admiral Kuznetsov" to the Syrian coast seems intended to squeeze as much financial aid and other benefits out of this conflict as Moscow can still get. "They literally use Syria as a showroom," the official said.
Some members of the United States Intelligence Community (IC) believe that the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin is looking for a way to get out of Syria. "From my point of view, Putin is obviously trying to do everything [to make the world understand] that without the participation of Russia today virtually nothing can be done," the Deputy Assistant Director of the CIA (Central Intelligence Agency), Peter Clement said.
"The meaning of the intervention in Syria in this," Clement explained on Tuesday during a conference on Intelligence in Washington. “He has forced the USA to sit at the negotiating table and to recognize it as not just one player, but as an equal".
However, the chaotic completion of the operation in Syria without cease-fire may put these achievements at risk.
Another important issue has arisen. This development can prevent the Russian Federation from using the situation in Syria to gain political capital in the future or to weaken or even lift the harsh economic sanctions imposed in connection with its intervention in Ukraine and the annexation of the Crimea.
"How does one make the Europeans get off the sanctions bandwagon? One possible option is this: you interfere in Syria and then find some way to stop this war," Clement explained. “Then you terminate the flow of the migrants to Europe and say, well, look what we've done for you."