James Denselow

The news that Russian General Aleksandr Dvornikov was being placed in command of Russia’s “special operation” in Ukraine would have sent a chill through many Syrians. It was Dvornikov who led the 2015 effort to reinforce Damascus and thus turn a tide that until then seemed unstoppable. Russian airpower blasted away the then balance of power and allowed a revitalised Assad to win back Aleppo and other strategic parts of the country.

Yet whilst eyes focus on Ukraine, Syria remains geopolitically fragmented and war-torn with millions still eking a living outside the country or dependent on humanitarian aid. The 11th anniversary of the conflict passed in March with barely a murmur. As acts of savagery emerge on the outskirts of Kiev, Syrians who’ve endured similar trials and tribulations must wonder if their arc of justice will come sooner, later or never at all because of events in the east of Europe.

Nowhere across the globe is immune from the reverberations of the Ukraine crisis, but some will feel it more than others. Some countries will be hit by the spike in food or fuel prices, others with see their defence supply chains and tradition power politics put into flux by Western-led attempts to build the harshest sanctions ever placed on a country.

Syria is a combination of all of these. Barely weeks into events it emerged that Russia had drawn up a list of 40,000 Syrians to deploy in Ukraine to aid its invasion of the country according to a UK-based activist group, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) Syrian fighters experience of the brutal nature of urban warfare could make them an asset in cities in Ukraine that have stalled the Russian advance, goes the logic. Another logic says that with Russia having experienced, in their own words, “significant losses” they need all the help they can get.

Yet it is one thing to leverage the experience of Russian generals and Syrian fighters to try and gain advantage in Ukraine, it is another thing not to expect that to alter the balance of forces in Syria itself. Israel struck military positions inside Syria this week for reportedly the eighth time this year, but in a rare tactic did so in broad daylight. Meanwhile in the east on the banks of the Euphrates indirect fire led to light injuries to US troops in the areas and a subsequent airstrike against Iranian backed militias on the other side of the river.

It's hard to read too much into incidents that are not exceptional within the ebb and flow of Syria’s current violence, but fault lines can stay relatively dormant for years or they can product devastating earthquakes. The fact that Russia and the US, countries trying to re-establish the rules of this new Cold War, are both present in the country with proxies and armed allies makes for an obvious dangerous stew. However, Russia’s aims in Syria have always been focused on buttressing Damascus, whilst the US has until now been focused on anti-ISIS operations. Could that change?

Such is the debt that Assad owes to Putin that there can be little realistic chance of the Syrian leader refusing requests for support from Moscow, whether in the diplomatic arena or through the transfer of fighters. There does remains the question though as to whether Russia’s focus on Ukraine and Syria’s deployment of reinforcements will offer the opportunity for anti-Assad forces, perhaps revitalised by outside resource to change dynamics on the ground.

Turkey is a major player inside the country and the region but is trying to offer good offices to the Ukraine crisis and is unlikely to change tact significantly. Israel may feel less restricted in attacking targets in Syria with Russia less invested in the day to day there. However, in essence the critical question is whether the US feels it can and should squeeze Russia in Syria? More arms and training to the SDF in the northeast could see them make a push south for lines across the Euphrates or conduct ‘hit and run’ attacks to force a response from Damascus.

In the northwest of the country armed actors may seize what they see as an opportunity regardless of any change in US policy. Shelling near Idlib and Russian airstrikes has been reported in the last few days and should be considered a useful barometer as to how much Ukraine has changed the situation in Syria and whether anti-Damascus actors in the country consider it the opportune time to make a tactical or strategic gambit.

BU: James Denselow

The Syrian opposition coalition's conflicts for power Putin assures Russia's military operation would achieve its 'noble' aims

BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has announced its sponsorship of the “Innovation and Sustainable Technology Solutions Competition (GU - IST Solutions), hosted by Gulf University at its main campus.
This strategic sponsorship reflects BENEFIT’s active role in advancing technological innovation and fostering sustainable solutions to future challenges. It also seeks to empower Bahraini youth by enhancing their skills, capabilities, and competitiveness in innovation and solution development—contributing meaningfully to the broader goals of sustainable development across all sectors.
As part of BENEFIT’s active involvement in the competition, the company has announced that Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager of Public Relations and Communication, will serve on the competition’s supervisory committee. Her upcoming participation reflects BENEFIT’s forward-looking commitment to championing academic and professional excellence.
Commenting on the occasion, Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager of Public Relations and Communication at BENEFIT, said, “We are privileged to support this pioneering initiative, which aligns seamlessly with BENEFIT’s enduring commitment to fostering innovation and nurturing the potential of Bahrain’s youth. Our participation is rooted in a deep sense of social responsibility and a firm belief in the pivotal role of innovation in shaping a sustainable future. Through such platforms, we seek to empower the next generation with the knowledge, skills, and foresight required to develop impactful solutions that address future challenges, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030.”
Dr. Aseel Al Ayash Dean of the College of Engineering in Gulf University commented, “We extend our sincere gratitude to BENEFIT for their generous sponsorship and support of the Innovation and Sustainable Technology Solutions Competition. This contribution plays an instrumental role in helping us achieve the strategic goals of this initiative, namely, cultivating a culture of innovation and sustainability, encouraging efforts that address the imperatives of sustainable development, and enhancing the practical and professional capabilities of our students and participants.”
The event will bring together a diverse spectrum of participants, including secondary school students, university undergraduates, engineers, industry professionals, entrepreneurs, academic researchers, and subject matter experts representing a wide range of disciplines.
The competition seeks to inspire participants to develop and present innovative, sustainable technologies aimed at addressing pressing environmental, social, and economic challenges. It encourages the formulation of business models that integrate advanced technological solutions with core principles of sustainability. Moreover, it serves as a platform for emerging leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators to contribute to the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals, promote the ethos of responsible technology, and demonstrate its transformative potential across various sectors.
Attendees will have the opportunity to view a series of project presentations submitted by participants, covering diverse areas such as eco-friendly product design, smart and sustainable innovations, renewable energy technologies, water conservation and management, waste minimisation and recycling, green architectural solutions, and sustainable transportation systems. Outstanding projects will be formally recognised and awarded at the conclusion of the event.