Syria-Russia Relations Important to Both

[Lone_Star_Dem]

Thursday January 27, 2005 1:31 PM

AP Photo MOSB102

By SAM F. GHATTAS

Associated Press Writer

BEIRUT, Lebanon (AP) - Syria and Russia, one-time allies driven apart by the collapse of the Soviet Union and brought closer again by American policies, both stand to gain from a relationship reinvigorated by Syrian President Bashar Assad's visit to Moscow.
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For Russian President Vladimir Putin, strengthening relations with Syria means consolidating a Middle East foothold that was a cornerstone of Soviet policy but was lost somewhat as American influence grew. Russia also seeks to balance its often tense ties with the United States and other Western countries by pursuing close relations with Mideast and Asian nations, many of which were friends in the Soviet era.
<snip>

For Syria, Moscow could help offset rapidly growing U.S. pressure.
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A close relationship solves Syria's debt problem and opens the field for military cooperation, ``which contributes toward a balance with Israel,'' he added.
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more...
http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-4759770,00.html

[pinerow]

1. I believe it's called "Realpolitik"...

nt