Russia's Challenges in Syria and Ukraine: US Proxy Wars and Geopolitical Strategies

As the conflict in Ukraine continues to escalate, with the situation deteriorating for Ukrainian forces and their Western backers, the United States is expanding the conflict not just in and around Ukraine but elsewhere along Russia's periphery. This expansion includes a recent offensive by US-backed factions of al-Qaeda in Syria, sweeping down from the north into Aleppo and other areas along the line of contact.

The Syrian Offensive

The recent offensive in Syria, emanating from the Turkish-held buffer zone in Northern Syria, has seen militant groups pushing downward east and south towards Aleppo, Syria's second-largest city. This offensive represents a significant development, with militants seizing territory and operating across Aleppo.

It's important to note that before Russia's intervention in 2015, almost the entire country of Syria was overrun by US-backed terrorists. The current situation, while serious, is not as dire as it was then. However, questions remain about how this offensive was possible and what Russia, Syria, and Iran can do to counter it.

Western Media Coverage

The BBC, citing the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, reported that rebel forces have taken control of half of Aleppo. The offensive is described as the largest against the Syrian government in years and the first time rebels have reached Aleppo since 2016.

It's crucial to understand that when Western media refers to "rebels" or "Islamist groups," they are often referring to various factions of al-Qaeda created by the US and its allies in the region. This mirrors the situation in Ukraine, where Nazi military units within the official Ukrainian Armed Forces are often rebranded or renamed to obscure their true nature.

Historical Context: US Involvement in Syria

To understand the current situation, it's essential to examine the historical context of US involvement in Syria:

The Bush Administration's Strategy

In 2007, Seymour Hersh's article in The New Yorker, "The Redirection," revealed that the Bush Administration had significantly shifted its Middle East strategy. This shift involved cooperating with Saudi Arabia in clandestine operations intended to weaken Hezbollah in Lebanon and taking part in clandestine operations aimed at Iran and Syria.

A byproduct of these activities was the bolstering of Sunni extremist groups hostile to America but sympathetic to al-Qaeda. The US was already backing the Muslim Brotherhood and other extremists to undermine Syria as far back as 2007.

The Arab Spring and US Involvement

By 2011, when the Arab Spring began, the US had already been preparing opposition movements for years. A New York Times article from April 2011 revealed that many groups and individuals involved in the revolts had received training and financing from US-affiliated organizations such as the International Republican Institute, the National Democratic Institute, and Freedom House.

The US created both the political organizations that would lead street protests and the militant organizations that would use these protests as cover to violently overthrow targeted governments.

CIA Involvement in Arming Syrian Opposition

A 2012 New York Times article revealed that CIA officers were secretly operating in southern Turkey, helping allies decide which Syrian opposition fighters would receive arms. These weapons, including automatic rifles, rocket-propelled grenades, and anti-tank weapons, were being funneled across the Turkish border through a network of intermediaries, including Syria's Muslim Brotherhood.

US Defense Intelligence Agency Document

A leaked 2012 US Defense Intelligence Agency document explicitly stated that "the Salafist, the Muslim Brotherhood, and AQI [al-Qaeda in Iraq] are the major forces driving the insurgency in Syria" and that "the West, Gulf countries, and Turkey support the opposition."

The document also revealed that the US and its allies wanted to establish a "Salafist principality" in eastern Syria to isolate the Syrian regime.

Implications for Ukraine

The situation in Syria has significant implications for the conflict in Ukraine:

1. The US strategy of using proxy forces and creating buffer zones in Syria could be replicated in Ukraine.
2. Any freeze in the conflict is likely to be used by the US and its proxies to rearm, reorganize, and restart the fight when conditions are more favorable.
3. Discussions about sending European troops to Ukraine have been reignited, potentially creating a "coalition of the willing" focused on Ukraine and wider European security.
4. Ukrainian President Zelensky has suggested a ceasefire deal in exchange for NATO membership for unoccupied parts of Ukraine, which could lead to a situation similar to the Turkish and American occupation of parts of Syria.

Conclusion

The US has essentially declared war on the global status quo, understanding that the world is gradually pivoting away from US-led hegemony towards multipolarity. The rest of the world will have to make difficult decisions regarding US aggression around the globe.

As events unfold, it will become clearer where the true limits of American, Russian, Iranian, and Chinese power lie. Careful analysis and close observation of these developments will be crucial in understanding the evolving geopolitical landscape.

The situation in Syria serves as a warning and a potential preview of how events might unfold in Ukraine. It underscores the importance of understanding the long-term strategies and historical context of US involvement in these regions to better anticipate and analyze future developments in both Syria and Ukraine.

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