ABSTRACT
The history of Russian foreign policy towards Syria is enduring and much written about. This analysis delves into the evolution of Russian–Syrian relations over time, bringing to the surface possible convergences and divergences between the attitude of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and modern-day Russia towards the Arab country. If it holds true that many strategies adopted by Russia today resemble those of its Soviet predecessor, the role of the Kremlin in Syria nowadays is unprecedented. By adopting a historical perspective, the analysis offers a lens through which to investigate and understand the present and the future of Russia’s commitment in Syria, which, despite the broad spectrum of Moscow’s actions in the region, remains the crown jewel of Russia’s power projection in the Middle East.
