Russia’s Syria withdrawal: a game changer? / Russia’s ‘Withdrawal’ from Syria is Nothing of the Kind

President Putin’s 14 March 2016 announcement that Russia would begin withdrawing its military forces from Syria provoked feverish speculation as to Russia’s motives. Much as the country’s initial intervention into the country in September 2015 thrust a game-changing dynamic into the conflict, securing the regime’s position in the face of significant military setbacks, this proposed drawdown opened up the possibility of a new shift in direction, particularly in terms of the political process unfolding under the auspices of the International Syria Support Group (ISSG).

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Syria: as conflict enters fifth year, UN-mediated peace talks resume in Geneva / Putin orders Russian forces to begin withdrawal from Syria http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-syria-as-conflict-enters-fifth-year-un-mediated-peace-talks-resume-in-geneva-putin-orders-russian-forces-to-begin-withdrawal-from-syria/

BBC News, 16.03.16: Russia's Syria operation: Mission complete? http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-35824486

Deutsche Welle, 14.03.16: Putin orders Russian forces to begin withdrawal from Syria http://dw.com/p/1ID60

EUObserver, 15.03.16: Russia announces surprise withdrawal from Syria https://euobserver.com/foreign/132684

Euro|Topics: Debates, March 2016: Russia pulls out of Syria http://www.eurotopics.net/en/155702/russia-pulls-out-of-syria

Politico, 15.03.16: Did Putin once again outfox Obama? http://www.politico.eu/article/did-putin-once-again-outfox-obama/

Russia: President: Events, 14.03.16: Telephone conversation with President of Syria Bashar al-Assad http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/51512

Sputnik International, 16.03.16: Russia’s 'Largely Achieved' Syrian Objectives in Facts and Figures http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160316/1036384503/russia-syria-campaign-facts.html

The Economist, 15.03.16: Out again. Russia brings its planes home from Syria http://www.economist.com/news/middle-east-and-africa/21694916-what-does-vladimir-putin-mean-it-russia-brings-its-planes-home-syria

ESO: Background information: US and Russia announce Syria truce http://www.europeansources.info/record/us-and-russia-announce-syria-truce/

ESO: Background information: The reduction of the Russian contingent in Syria http://www.europeansources.info/record/the-reduction-of-the-russian-contingent-in-syria/

Russia: President: Events, 17.03.16: Meeting with Russian Armed Forces service personnel http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/51526

Chatham House: Expert Comment, 21.03.16: Russia’s ‘Withdrawal’ from Syria is Nothing of the Kind https://www.chathamhouse.org/expert/comment/russia-s-withdrawal-syria-nothing-kind

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