Part 3/8:
The host provides a historical backdrop of the Syrian Civil War, which has endured for over 13 years, fueled by a multitude of warring factions. Russian involvement in Syria dates back to 2015 when it entered the conflict to support President Bashar al-Assad against various insurgent groups, many of which were backed by Turkey and the USA. The engagement was motivated by a desire to curb Western influence in the Middle East.
The analysis points out that since the onset of the war, Russia has invested approximately $4 to $500 million per year to maintain its foothold in Syria, a crucial part of its strategy to exert influence in the region and ensure a friendly government remains in power.