Alwaght- Since the beginning of the Syrian crisis, different reasons have been cited for the intervention of the US and Russia in the crisis. Some suggested reasons have a higher validity, and some of them are quite weak. But differences in approaches of US on one hand, and Russia along with Iran on the other hand, could be explained in the light of different national interests of these countries.
In its national security strategy for the new century, the US government has divided its national interests into three categories:
1. Vital interests, such as Homeland Security, public safety, economic well being of the US, and protection of critical infrastructures.
2. Important national interests that do not threaten country’s survival, but impact the national welfare. Both regional crises, and commitments to the allies, fall under this category.
3. Peripheral and humanitarian interests that are more related to the field of human rights.
National interests can explain the differences in approaches of Russia and the US towards the issue of Syria. Washington believes that Syria and its future, will not affect US’ national interests, because the Syrian crisis does not threaten Israeli regime, as it also does not affect the oil price. But the situation with Russia is pretty different, because the crisis not only threatens the Tartus port, but with spreading terrorism into Russia's territory, it adds to the problem of extremism in this country. Due to this situation, Moscow is strongly concerned about the threat of radical Sunni forces.
President Putin, speaking in 2015 meeting of leaders of The Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) in Kazakhstan, declared it was estimated that between 5 and 7 thousand fighters from Russia and other CIS-member countries are fighting for ISIS. We cannot let them use the experience that they obtain from Syria, in their own countries.
This is while the US has greatly reduced its dependency on oil from the West Asian region, and has shifted its focus towards East Asia. Indeed, the East Asian region has turned into Washington’s strategic center.
Syrian crisis, in addition to Russia, threatens the Islamic Republic of Iran. Indeed, if there is doubt about whether the crisis in Syria has harmed Russia’s vital interests or national interests, in the case of Iran, it is completely obvious that the vital interests of the country have been targeted. Moscow and Tehran believe that the main target of this regional crisis is actually Iran and its existence.
But the United States has not been harmed by the Syrian crisis. Some of US’ leading theorists believe that unlike the views of the Washington’s officials, Russia’s military involvement in the crisis is not negative, but it is rather a glimmer of hope for reaching stability in the region. These theorists also believe that Washington should support the military involvement of Russia in the Syrian crisis.
They emphasize that Russia has been present in Syria for decades, and Moscow has sustainable benefits in this country, just like how US has been involved in West Asia for a long time. So, the US should not consider Russia troublesome. Russia has the right to be concerned, because the terrorist groups present in Syria impose greater threat on Moscow than Washington.
In fact, if the US’ main goal is defeating ISIS, Russia’s involvement is a great opportunity to compensate for the shortcomings that are present in US’ strategies. These shortcomings consist of: lack of effective military presence, having no cooperation with the Syrian government, as well as with Iran and Iraq.
John Mearsheimer, famous American neorealist theoretician, believes that there is no reason for Washington’s involvement in the Syrian crisis, because the crisis does not affect the US’ vital interests, and on the other hand, US is not able to have an affecting role in this crisis to impose its will. Mearsheimer also believes that US politicians do not need to be immediately concerned whenever something happens in the world. It is not right for US to keep the world safe for itself by dominating it; in fact the US should cooperate with other countries like Russia on international matters.
The US is aware of the fact that Syria affects Russia’s vital interests, and Russia will never leave this issue aside. So currently, the US will not act against Russia’s activities, and it will accept them.
