Russia Strengthens Grip on Syria Amid Leadership Shift—What This Means for America

The recent meeting between Syria’s interim leader Ahmad al-Sharaa and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow signals more than just diplomatic pleasantries—it reveals a calculated Russian strategy to entrench its military presence in the Middle East, often at America’s expense. Why Should Americans Care About Damascus and the Kremlin’s Partnership? When Assad’s regime fell last December following a rebel offensive, many hoped the era of foreign military bases in Syria would end. Yet, Moscow, ever the opportunist, has seized the moment. Despite Assad’s ousting, Russia’s naval and air bases along the Syrian coast remain firmly under Kremlin control. Why? Because...