Commentaries And Analysis On Russia's Involvement In The Syrian Conflict

Alexey Eremenko and Sarah Burke, NBC: Analysis: Why Is Russia So Interested in Syria?

MOSCOW — Vladimir Putin's alleged murky moves to shore up Syria's embattled government militarily appears to be Russia trying to gain leverage amid isolation from the West, according to analysts.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told reporters Thursday that planes have delivered military goods and humanitarian assistance to Syria in recent days, but insisted this was in line with current arms contracts.

"We have always been frank regarding the presence of our military experts in Syria who help the Syrian army in training and learning how to use the equipment," Lavrov told a press conference in Moscow. "And if further steps are needed we will stand ready to fully undertake those steps."

Commentaries And Analysis On Russia's Involvement In The Syrian Conflict

Is Russia Ramping Up Its Military Involvement in Syria? -- Juan Cole, Truth Dig
Confirming Russia's Expanded Presence in Syria: Analysis -- Stratfor
Stratfor sees good news in Syria: a possible win for Russia’s diplomats -- Fabius Maximus
Why Russia is suddenly interested in Syria’s civil war -- George Petrolekas, Globe and Mail
A Russian Intervention in Syria? -- Jan Techau, Carnegie Europe
Why Russia has boosted its military presence in Syria now -- Nicholas Blanford, CSM
Why are the Russians in Syria? -- Vicky Nanjappa, One India
Is Putin Planning a Gamble in Syria? -- Leonid Bershidsky, Bloomberg
Russia Raises the Stakes in Syrian War -- Dan De Luce, Foreign Policy
Analysis: Russia taking advantage of West’s inaction to keep Assad in power -- Ariel Ben Solomon, Jerusalem Post
Russian troops in Syria: What are they doing there? -- Pravda
Russia's role in Syria -- Deutsche Welle
Could Syria help bring Russia back from the cold? -- Catherine Boyle, CNBC