The Impact of the Russian-Syrian Alliance on Internal Conditions in Syria After 2014

Volume 17, Issue: 1 part 2
Spring 2026
Pages 903-924

Document Type : Research Paper

Author

University of Baghdad, College of Political Science

Abstract
This study examines the evolution of Russian-Syrian relations from 1944 to 2014, outlining their historical roots, the growing rapprochement between the two states, and the development of a strategic partnership that included indirect intervention prior to 2014. It further highlights the shift in Russia’s strategic approach toward Syria after 2014, analyzing the underlying motives that prompted Moscow to alter its policy and the resulting implications of that change. The research underscores the internal impact of the Russian-Syrian alliance, particularly its political and economic effects on both the Syrian regime and the opposition, as the alliance contributed to strengthening the regime’s authority and reducing the political and economic influence of the opposition. Moreover, it discusses the military and security dimensions of the alliance, clarifying the nature of Russian support to the regime in addressing military and security challenges, and its consequent impact on opposition factions and internal security conditions. The study concludes that the Russian-Syrian alliance constituted a pivotal element in the trajectory of the Syrian conflict after 2014, as it played a decisive role in restoring the balance of power in favor of the regime, shaping the political and military landscape within Syria, and exerting a profound influence on the dynamics of the internal conflict and the country’s future prospects.
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Subjects
  • Receive Date 10 December 2025
  • Accept Date 30 December 2025