What Russia Wants in Syria

Less than a month ago, Russia began a military operation in Syria that is ongoing to this day.

Russia's direct military involvement in Syria adds a complicated layer to an already complex conflict. On the line to discuss Russian military and political strategy for Syria, and the implications of this military action for the longer term prospects of a internationally negotiated resolution to this conflict is Michael Kofman, who is an analyst at the CNA Corporation and Fellow at the Woodrow Wilson Center.

Kofman offers some clearheaded analysis of the political implications of Russia's military intervention and does an excellent job of unpacking some of the complexity of the current state of the Syrian conflict. The conversation also adds some insight into what will be on the agenda as John Kerry, Sergei Lavrov and representatives from Iran, Saudi Arabia and Turkey meet in Vienna this week to discuss the Syria conflict.

This episode is sponsored by World Politics Review, which provides unco…