Russia has used its influence to protect Bashar Assad in the UN Security Council by vetoing any decision that is against the Syrian president. Lebanon’s initial response to these vetoes has been the total absence of an official position, with no Lebanese official stepping forward to condemn Russia’s actions. In addition, there has been no condemnation by Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah of Russia’s military presence in Syria, nor has he condemned its campaign in Yemen. Hezbollah’s silence is a message to Moscow that the Lebanese Hezbollah movement cannot oppose the Russians in any way and that their movements need to be coordinated.
The Arab League has also been cooperative with Russia on all issues related to Syria, giving Bashar Assad a stamp of approval from 22 Arab countries. The Syrian regime has not committed any strategic mistakes since 2011 in handling its relations with the Gulf States and its factions have announced support for Russia as well. Lebanon’s Parliament has passed a number of resolutions on Syria, but not one of them was related to the military presence of Russia in the country.
The Syrian regime, backed by Russia and Iran, has started moving towards Aleppo and Idlib to eliminate any opposition. The United States is now facing a dilemma over whether it will actively participate in this battle against the Islamic State group in Syria and whether it will allow Assad’s forces to move towards these areas in order to protect its troops there. The President of the United States, Barack Obama, has given his consent to the Syrian regime to protect its troops in an area that is under ISIS control. The Russians have started moving towards these areas as well and are creating a new front for combat. Read more: https://www.bbntimes.com/global-economy/marwan-kheireddine-going-back-to-basics-can-rescue-lebanon-s-economy